Page 52 of Perfectly Petite Shorts
Johnny probably didn’t even know they’d invaded Dusk. Earth had a similar creature called a chameleon. Skeets were even more masterful at changing their colors. The change wasso instantaneous that they seamlessly blended with their surroundings, making them nearly impossible to see. Fairies relied on scuttlebutts to weed them out. They weren’t relocated. Skeets were too tasty and far too dangerous to catch and release.
My mouth salivated at the very thought of crunching into one of them. I’d seen at least two. Most likely a mating pair. If they weren’t caught and eaten soon, Dusk would be overrun.
It was so hard being good during Ray and Wendall’s bonding. I tried holding still, but all I could think about was getting back to Earth and eating the skeets. They were dangerous to fairies. I couldn’t imagine what they might do to Wendall’s earthly friends. My tribe was at risk, and it was my duty to protect them. Oh, how I wished Wendall understood me when I spoke.
“Are you ready?” Ray asked, his arm wrapped around Wendall’s shoulders. Wendall was far more settled now that the ceremony was over.
“I think so.” Wendall’s hand fell over his heart. Thankfully, I was perched atop his head and out of the way of Ray’s affections. “It feels so warm and…settling. I’m not sure that’s the right way to say it. Just, your bond… I can feel it in here.” Wendall tapped his chest. “It makes me feel safe in a way I’ve never felt before. Peaceful.”
“It is the same for me.” Ray pushed Wendall’s hair away from his face, his fingers barely missing my feet. “I am more pleased than I can ever convey.” I averted my eyes as Ray leaned down and kissed his mate. I was always near, but I did try and give them some privacy. I was happy the two of them were mated, but it was not something I wanted to see.
“You ready to be bombarded by our friends?” Wendall asked, his voice husky after Ray’s blistering kiss.
Ray deeply sighed. “If we must.”
I chittered with amusement while Wendall smacked Ray’schest with his open palm. “They’re our friends.”
Ray’s eyebrow twitched. “It is an interesting concept but one I have accepted.”
“You know that Sedrick considers you part of his pack and Lucroy’s just as bad, considering you part of his nest.”
“I have never aspired to be part of a wolf pack or a vampire nest.”
“And I never aspired to be anything more than human, but here we are.”
“Yes, and here is a lovely place to be.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Wendall’s words sang with happiness. I wasn’t nearly as pleased and pattered my feet, opening my mouth wide and wailing my displeasure. Wendall and Ray had forgotten a very important group.
“Ow, hey.” Wendall placed a hand on my vibrating body. “Okay, okay. Settle down. We’re a part of your tribe as well. Happy now?”
I quieted and gave a conceding wail. I’d be a lot happier if we just got to Dusk already so I could track down the skeets.
“Come,” Ray said as if he could read my mind. “Let us join ourfriends.”
My feet hit the ground as soon as Wendall stepped through the portal. Shouts of congratulations rang through the air, filling the bar with a cacophony of noise. There were so many different species, so many bodies, that the scents overwhelmed me. Those skeets would be even more difficult to find now.
Laughter and music boomed, cutting through the other sounds and eliminating yet another one of my senses. Nose to the ground, I attempted to push all other sensory stimulation aside.
Dodging legs and feet, I snuffled along the floor, nose to the ground. My body was lowered enough that I knew my feet were hidden beneath the length of my fur. Johnny had said once that I looked like a dust bunny scurrying across the floor. I’d never met one of thesedust bunniesbut trusted his opinion.
Wine splattered the floor beside me, quickly followed by a dash of whiskey. The alcoholic scents played further havoc with my nose, and I growled my displeasure…not that anyone could hear it.
“What’s Trinket up to?” I heard someone say. It sounded like Parsnip, but I didn’t turn my head to see. A thrill of excitement ran through me as I caught the first hint of skeet. I circled around, using my fur to pull the scent toward me, funneling it to my nose. Once I was sure it was the right scent, I was off. The trail meandered, and I had to duck under tables and between chairs.
Pain suddenly shot through my tail, and I wailed, whipping my tail toward my body and tucking it tight.
“Oh shit, Trinket. Damn, I didn’t see you down there.” Warlock Vander Kines towered above me, a glass of burnt rum in one hand.
“Be more careful.” Byx jumped up on a nearby chair and zapped Vander in the side.
“Ow! Shit, that was harsher than usual.” Vander rubbed his side with his free hand.
Unapologetic, Byx stood with her hands fisted on her hips. “You deserved it for stepping on her tail.”
Vander looked sheepish. “Yeah, maybe. I’m sorry, Trinket. I really didn’t see you down there. Do you need a pain charm, or is there something else I can do?”
Tapping my feet, I whipped my tail around my body and gave a forgiving chitter. I’d make him pay for it later, but right now I had skeets to eat. Dashing off—but keeping my tail a lotcloser—I zeroed in on the scent again. Thankfully, I hadn’t lost the trail.
