Page 9 of Perfectly Petite Shorts
Peat wouldn’t go so far as to say no offense was taken. He would, however, let it go. “It’s a reaction I’m accustomed to, but I assure you, my unusual wings have never affected my Goddess-given abilities as a home-and-hearth pixie. I can provide a list of references if you like.” While Peat had been fired from every job he’d ever held, he was not let go because of poor performance and past employers were typically generous with their recommendations. Peat had no doubt Mr. Cunningham wouldn’t be any different.
“References are most welcome,” Cassius answered. “But perhaps now is not the time.”
“Well said.” Nirgal took a cautious step closer. Peat got the feeling he was testing the waters, making certain Peat was comfortable with his nearness. “If you would like, I will be more than happy to show you the château we call home. I assume you read the information regarding our colony of sprites. While they live outside in the forest, I suspect it will be difficult to completely stay away from them.”
Peat nodded. “I did. I… That’s not a deal breaker for me, though to be completely honest, I’ve never been around a sprite before. It’s my understanding that they’re not as plentiful as they once were.”
“And that is a true shame and loss,” Nirgal answered. “They are delightful and improve the health of a forest.”
Peat nodded. “I can’t attest to the delightful part, but I have heard they’re good for the land.” He had heard that from nature pixies in the past.
Within one heartbeat and the next, Nirgal was in front of him, hand extended. “Please do me the honor of allowing me to escort you through the château.”
Peat stared at that hand for longer than was polite before resting his palm within Nirgal’s. The vampire’s skin was cool but not cold. Its texture was soft and oddly inviting. With a spine-shivering smile, Nirgal gently pulled Peat forward. Peat was certain he was dirtying more of the floor—not that Nirgal seemed to mind as he tugged Peat ever forward. He should be examining the house, but it was difficult to take his eyes off his host.
“Perhaps we should start on the third floor and work our way down.” Nirgal didn’t wait for an answer and simply headed for the stairs.
Peat wondered at how easily he followed Nirgal. The vampire wasn’ttypical. Then again, Peat wasn’t atypicalpixie either. If he didn’t want Nirgal to judge him by his wings, then perhaps Peat shouldn’t judge the vampire by his crimson eyes, frightening large canines, and nearly translucent skin. There was no need to add the wordhypocriteto Peat’s resume.
Peat’s eyes widened as he finally paid attention to the house itself. A shiver wound its way down his spine. While it was chilly inside, that wasn’t what caused his reaction. Peat didn’t think he’d ever been inside a home that felt this dead. It was absolutely devoid of life. Home-and-hearth pixies didn’t have to bond with a house to feel it. Throughout his many jobs, Peat had been in a plethora of differenthomes. Most were content, if not completely fulfilled. A handful were sad and weighed at his soul. Some homes had witnessed untold acts of violence committed within their walls, and some held joy so potent Peat thought he could live forever off the high.
The point was, houses always gave off some kind of emotion, but this… There was nothing. Simply nothing. Peat wasn’t certain if the house truly held no life or was simply slumbering. Regardless, it left an emptiness in the pit of his belly and nausea creeping up his throat.
Nirgal walked him through room after empty room. Not that the rooms were unfurnished. There was simply no soul. Most thought houses were little more than brick and mortar. Home-and-hearth pixies knew different. At least, that’s what Peat had always thought. He was currently doubting all he’d known.
They worked their way down the stairs and the second level was no different than the top which was no different than the main floor. The more he explored, the more Peat knew he couldn’t take this job. He’d never imagined the reason he’d turn it down would be due to the house itself and not its vampiric owners.
Swallowing down his growing nausea, Peat’s head twisted this way and that. His magenta-tipped hair swirled around his shoulders as he desperately searched for some spark of life. Anything would be better than this emptiness.
“Peat?” Nirgal’s voice softened with his obvious concern. “Are you well? Forgive me but you appear pale.”
Peat shook his head. “I…I’m sorry, Nirgal. It’s just…” Peat wasn’t certain how to put his concern into words. He finally settled on, “The house isn’t what I expected.”
Nirgal’s head tilted and Peat swore those crimson eyes dug right into his soul. With a sad grin, Nirgal said, “If you can stomach it, I have one final space to show you.”
Could he?Peat wasn’t certain. He could feel curiouseyes watching him. He wouldn’t say the château was filled with vampires. He’d seen a few here and there, peeking out of doorways or standing stock still in rooms where, Nirgal explained, said vampires stayed. Each of those rooms had blackout curtains or, in most cases, steel shutters that kept any and all sunlight out.
Peat wanted to pull back and head for the exit. What was the point in seeing more? He couldn’t take this job. It was making him physically ill to be in the place. And yet…some of those watching eyes held hopeful curiosity. That was most likely speculative fantasy, and yet, Peat couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right.
And then there was Nirgal. His host had been so very polite. Peat hadn’t felt threatened since his earlier freakout in the entryway. While he didn’t necessarilyowethis vampire anything, Peat thought it would be impolite to cut and run.
Offering a smile he didn’t remotely feel, Peat said, “Lead the way.” The small squeeze Nirgal gave his fingers made Peat think the vampire was grateful.
“Sir,” Cassius interrupted. The vampire’s obsidian gaze flittered from Peat to Nirgal. “Are you certain that is wise?” Cassius clasped his hands behind his back. “Does Peat need to see where you dwell?”
Peat felt Nirgal’s fingers stiffen in his before twitching. “I do not see the harm,” Nirgal flatly stated.
“But, sir—”
“Come.” Nirgal tugged on Peat’s hand. Had the vampire wished, he could have torn Peat’s arm off. The motion was purposefully gentle.
Just as before, Peat followed as he was led to yet another artfully carved wooden door at the end of a small hall. Peat soon learned that door was not what it seemed. Opening it revealed a thick core of steel. While Nirgal acted as if openingthe door was effortless, Peat thought it was likely anything but to anyone of lesser strength.
“Ah! I had wondered if the light still worked.” Nirgal sounded pleased as a dim light barely lit the stairway leading down.
Peat leaned over, staring into the dark pit that seemed to go on forever. For the first time, he was hesitant to follow.
“Um… I…”
