Page 80 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“Me either.” The very thought pissed off my cat. Pallas’s cats and pixies might be small, but we were the epitome of mighty.

“Didn’t think you would,” Vander reassured. “Stay safe. We’ll call you when something else happens.” I noted Vander saidwhennotif.

Wings spread, I lowered myself, draping my back across Leon’s chest. “This is a clusterfuck.”

“Hmm, I have encountered many such instances.”

“Me too. I still think this one’s a little different.”

Leon’s fingers danced across my scalp, lulling me to slumber. As my mind drifted, I said, “It sounds like Erasmus’s plan might work, but he’s reluctant to implement it.”

“Understandably so. Although I have yet to meet the necromancer, he sounds like someone afflicted by virtue. He would not take the possibility of killing another lightly.”

“The djinn might not die,” I said.

“True, but even still, returning to an unmagical state, with all its mortal shortcomings, may not be something a djinn desires. I highly doubt there will be time to ask for their opinion on the matter.”

I cringed realizing how correct Leon was. “I don’t suppose I’d want to be in that position either. But if I had to choose between them and you, that decision would be very simple.”

“As it would be with me, beloved.”

I fell asleep like that, tossed over Leon’s chest like a ragdoll, his fingertips raking along my scalp, petting me in my pixie form.

* * *

Lucroy called shortly after sundown. I woke hearing Leon’s voice on the phone. When he ended the call and placed the phone back on the side table, Leon sat there, elbows on bent knees and staring into the dark.

As I rubbed his back, Leon leaned into my touch. “What did he say?” I asked.

“My king has ordered Dusk closed for the foreseeable future. Lucroy is concerned.”

I sat up, scooting until my front was pressed against Leon’s back. “Did something else happen?”

“No. And that is the way Lucroy wants it to stay. He is concerned that Dusk will be seen as a soft target. It would be a much easier mark than Peaches’s orchard or Phil’s home. Attacking Dusk would be an understandable strategy. Injuring his nestmates would be an excellent way to draw Lucroy out. Possibly Sedrick as well.”

“It makes sense in a sick, twisted way.” Leon remained quiet and I wondered what else Lucroy had said. “Is there something else?” I wrapped my arms around Leon’s middle, hugging his granite-like body closer.

“I’ve been ordered to Peaches’s orchard. While my king cannot order you also, I would ask that you accompany me.”

“Hey, I already told you—where you go, I go. I didn’t want to hide out in Peaches’s orchard before because you weren’t planning on going. I’ve got no problem if you’re there too.”

While it was barely noticeable, Leon’s body relaxed. “It will be a crowded place. Evidently, Ray has asked Phil, Sedrick, and the children to go there as well.”

I pulled back, moving so I could see Leon’s turned face. “Why? Phil needs to stay at home. He’s bonded and can’t be away for long periods of time. Besides, his home should be as safe as Peaches’s orchard.” I was truly confused and concerned.

Leon’s fingers ghosted across my cheek. “That is true. However, it appears that Ray has discovered corroborating evidence that Alpha Belview did indeed find a warlock willing to attempt breaking a home-and-hearth pixie bond. According to Vander, the charm would need to be specific to a home-and-hearth pixie and, therefore, would not translate into usage on a nature pixie such as Peaches. Ray is concerned this warlock has made enough progress to be a danger.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “Can Queen Silvidia find this warlock and eliminate him?”

“She has tried, but just as with Arie, he cannot be found.”

The litany of curses that flew from my mouth would have either horrified or made Auntie Tandra proud. I wasn’t entirely certain which. What I did know was that I needed to call her. She was still in the dark regarding current circumstances, but I wasn’t certain when I’d get another chance and needed to let her know I might be going off the grid for a bit.

“But what about Phil’s bond with his home?” I still wasn’t sure how Ray planned on getting around that sticking point.

“Phil is also bonded to Sedrick and the children. He will be fine for a longer period of time as long as they are with him. Should he need to make a trip home, Ray plans on transporting him there and back. Lucroy mentioned that is how Ray plans on getting them to the orchard to begin with. Traveling otherwise is considered too dangerous currently.”

“Yeah, they’d be much easier pickings as soon as they left Phil’s bonded area. I stand by what I said earlier: This is a clusterfuck.”

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