Page 63 of Deadly Deception
“Reasonable,” I agreed easily.
Boone covered a yawn, but Henson saw it and asked, “And you? How are you feeling, Necromancer Boone?”
Boone shrugged. “Tired, but I’ve certainly felt worse.” I cringed, distinctly remembering that time. “Franklin fed me, watered me, and put me to bed.”
“Christ, that makes it sound like you’re a pet or a plant.” Henson didn’t seem overly impressed with Boone’s assessment.
“It is what it is. Franklin took excellent care of me. He always does.” Boone shot me a grateful smile I wasn’t sure I deserved. Taking care of Boone was my pleasure and privilege.
“Glad to hear you’re on the mend.” Henson sat forward, leaning his forearms on his desk and clasping his hands. “I know you’re probably anxious to get back down south, so I appreciate you coming in today.” Inhaling deeply, Henson got down to the reason we were here. Again. “I’ve either done something remarkably stupid or helpful. I suppose time will tell. I sent a message to the Midwestern Vampire Queen.”
Now,thatgot my attention. “Queen Millicent?” Boone asked.
“I don’t know of another,” Henson snarked. “It’s been brought to my attention that Necromancer Boone has hadsome interaction with the Southeast Vampire King. My vampire experience is very limited. I would appreciate any advice you can offer.”
“I—” Boone cut off and stared at me, his green eyes shimmering with questions I couldn’t answer. Boone turned his attention back to Henson and shook his head. “I’m not sure I can be a lot of help here. From my understanding, King Moony isn’t like most other vamps in similar positions. I can tell you that my experience with him was positive. He is devoted to his beloved, a pixie named Peaches. King Moony cares for his nest. I’ve heard he doesn’t even make them pay tithes. My personal conversations with him have been…pleasant. I’m not sure that’s the right word, but he doesn’t make me want to shit my pants.”
Henson chuckled. “Yeah, that’s kind of what I’m afraid of with Queen Millicent, and that’s assuming she answers my missive at all. Hell, she might ignore it completely.”
I scooted forward and asked, “I take it you wrote her regarding our Vanja impersonator.”
“I did. I can’t imagine Queen Millicent will take kindly to that. Bringing vampires into the equation might be insane, but right now, I’ll take what help I can get. I need to put a stop to this new Vanja before anyone else dies. The citizens of LaPorte County elected me as their sheriff. They expect me to protect them and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. One way or the other.” Henson grimaced at that. “Contacting the local vampire queen might lose me the next election. If that’s the case, so be it. I’ll make peace with it when the time comes.”
“She won’t follow human law,” Boone said. “You realize that, don’t you?”
Henson cringed. “Honestly, that’s sort of what I’m counting on. That might make me a horrible cop, but it’s the truth.”
“You’ll get no judgment from me,” I answered. Human law was all well and good, but it was more gray than black and white.The wheels of human justice didn’t just grind; some days, they barely moved. Other species didn’t have that issue, and Fairy law typically backed their swift justice.
“If you’d like, I can call King Moony and ask what his experience has been with Queen Millicent,” Boone offered. “I honestly don’t know if it will help, but I don’t mind.”
Henson perked up and sat higher in his chair. “You have King Moony’s number?”
Boone nodded while pulling out his phone. “I’ve got Peaches’s number which is just as good. I’m not sure if King Moony will be awake or not.”
Henson checked his watch and gave Boone an incredulous stare. “It’s the middle of the afternoon. I think it’s safe to say he’ll be asleep.”
Boone grinned. “You say that because you don’t know your vampire/pixie bonded information.” He held the phone out, speaker on while it rang. Peaches’s bright, sunny voice answered “Erasmus! How are you?”
Boone’s grin widened. It was difficult not to feel joy when speaking with such a happy pixie. “I’m good. I’ve actually got a question for your beloved. I don’t suppose King Moony’s up yet.”
“He is, although he’s still a little sleepy. I don’t think he’ll mind speaking with you. Is it okay if I listen in?”
“That’s fine. Please let him know he’ll be on speaker phone. I’m in the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, said sheriff sitting across from me. Franklin’s here also.”
“Ohh, Franklin.” Peaches’s voice perked even higher. “Aurelia’s told me so much about you. I’d love to meet sometime and if not in person, maybe we can FaceTime soon.”
My cheeks flushed for reasons unknown. When I glanced at Boone, he was grinning like a loon. “Franklin would love that,” Boone answered with a saucy wink.
As we waited for King Moony to get on the line, Henson asked, “Who’s Aurelia?”
Boone opened his mouth, answer at the ready before snapping it closed and looked at me. With a shrug I answered, “Aurelia’s complicated.”
Boone gave a firm nod and said a quick, “Agreed, she—”
“Necromancer Boone, how may I be of assistance?” King Moony’s voice was liquid smooth and sent a shiver down my spine. Henson’s cheeks paled, but Boone didn’t so much as bat an eyelash.
“Thanks for taking my call, King Moony.”
