Page 77 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“Hey, Johnny told me to let you know we’re running out of glasses, so stop sucking face and get busy.” Lizbeth’s laughter followed her out the door.

Allowing Phlox to slide through my arms, my pixie’s feet landed on the floor while I stared at the swinging door. “Perhaps I should speak with Lizbeth. She is getting a little cheeky for a human.”

Phlox smacked me with a wet towel. “You’ll do no such thing. I like her. So do you.”

My beloved wasn’t wrong. I was pleased Lizbeth felt comfortable enough to jest.

Going back to his glasses, Phlox said, “Why don’t you make yourself useful and take the clean, dry ones out?”

“As you wish, beloved.”

Phlox huffed but his cheeks pinked, and I thought he was more flustered than irritated by my comment.

Doing as told, I refilled the empty areas behind the bar. Dusk had its usual crowd, minus Arie’s wolves. So far, we’d yet to be graced by their malodorous appearance. I mentally berated myself. Werewolves didn’t necessarily smell bad. It was a different odor that didn’t always agree with my palate. I’d gotten used to Sedrick’s musky scent. I simply didn’t care to put as much effort into Arie Belview’s pack.

Heading back to the washroom, I began drying glasses.

“They’ll air-dry soon enough,” Phlox offered.

“It is something to keep my hands busy and occupy my mind,” I confessed.

“I understand. I hate waiting. Especially now that we’ve got an idea what’s going on.” Phlox glanced up and asked, “Do you know if Hamish has made any more headway with Sylvie’s computer? We’re pretty sure Alpha Belview’s the mastermind, but there are other guilty parties that need brought to justice.”

Justice, in this case, would be death. “I am unaware. If the culprits’ names have been discovered, I’ve no doubt justice will be swift. Perhaps that is what Hellfire and Wendall are currently doing.”

Phlox’s washing momentarily halted. “You think Ray would take Wendall with him for that?”

I considered the question. Wendall’s nature was gentle, however, he was aware of the consequences of the pixie ring. “I believe Wendall would agree with the punishment. However, I believe he would also make certain the sentence is fulfilled quickly and without the level of pain others would undoubtedly inflict.”

“Wendall’s version of mercy. I understand.”

While Lucroy and I had an agreeable relationship, I do not believe I’d ever found another’s company this easily companionable. Not even my maker, Marian. It was oddly humbling and immensely calming. Being around Phlox was so incredibly easy. It was as if we’d known each other for centuries instead of mere weeks.

“Have any of Arie’s wolves shown up yet?” Phlox asked, pulling me from my peaceful mental space.

“No.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“I do not know.” I was not even certain why they’d been coming before. Lucroy thought it was a way of keeping an eye on us. Dusk was a hub of activity for the different species. With Wendall still working part time, Ray was often here. Sedrick and Phil made the occasional appearance, as did Vander and Parsnip when they were in town. While Lucroy wasn’t in Dusk as often as he once was, he stopped by enough that any given week he was here at least two to three times.

I wasn’t sure what knowledge Arie Belview hoped to learn. Perhaps he was simply making certain our routines did not deviate from the status quo. That made the most sense to me. Arie wanted a heads-up if we figured out what he was doing. If that were the case, then perhaps it was good we were keeping up the peaceful façade. Not that Arie had sent any of his minions into the bar tonight to make certain.

Reevaluating my earlier statement, I amended, “I believe it might be a poor sign.”

Enough time had passed that Phlox gave me a quizzical glance. His eyes widened when he caught my meaning. “Bad that Arie didn’t send any wolves in tonight?” Phlox rightly guessed.

“Yes. Although I am frustratingly uncertain.”

Phlox’s sigh sounded soul deep. “You and me both. Scratch that—you, me, and everyone else in the know. The Magical Usage Council feels just as impotent as the rest of us. I got a text earlier. They can’t find Alpha Belview either. So far, they’re trying to be discrete in their inquiries. If Arie’s really got a djinn at his control, they don’t want to give him an excuse to use it.” Phlox frowned. “I think maybe I just insulted djinn by calling themit. Do you think that’s the right way refer to them?” Phlox shook his head. “I’m still not really sure what djinn are. I mean, Aurelia’s alive—”

“More alive than vampires or zombies,” I offered.

Phlox gave me a withering stare. “That’s very debatable. What I’m getting at is that according to Erasmus, Aurelia’s original essence is tied up in her object of attachment. I know we’ve only got her to go on, but most likely that’s the case with all djinn. Goddess, those witches murdered others to form djinn. It’s hard to believe.”

Given the witches of today, Phlox’s disbelief was understandable. There were always rotten apples in every species’ barrels. Letty Fox was proof enough of that. However, as a general rule, I believe witches learned their ancestral lessons where craving more power was concerned. Djinn caused far more death and grief than expected. It was a price their community continued paying for.

“I wish Matilda knew more,” Phlox lamented. “Or any of the witches on the Magical Usage Council for that matter.”

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