Page 19 of Perfectly Petite Shorts (Perfect Pixie)

Small. The fingers under mine were so small. A fresh burst of heat filled me and with it came clarity. Brownie . And not just any brownie, a child.

Shit, fuck, and damn . I attempted to wiggle free but couldn’t. My body was too damaged to do much more than twitch. Every second that ticked by improved my breathing and eased the pain in my chest. That should be a good thing. It wasn’t. The cost would be far too high.

“Hey there, what are you…?” I took in another wheezing breath. Things might be better, but they were still a far sight from great. “You shouldn’t be doing that.”

Instead of dimming, the healing pulse echoing through my body increased. “Don’t. You’re too young.” I coughed and fresh wetness spilled across my lips. “Don’t hurt yourself. Not on my account.”

“You’re going to be fine.” It was the softest whisper against the fuzz fogging my brain .

“No. You’ll hurt yourself and—”

“Sit still or I’ll zap you.” That sweet voice held an edge of sassiness that made me want to chuckle.

“Zap me, huh?” I’m not sure why I doubted my brownie savior. The zing of electrical current that whizzed through my body let me know it wasn’t an idle threat. “Shit, kid. That hurt.”

“It wasn’t meant to feel good. Now, sit there and let me heal you.”

This time, my inhale held just the slightest twinge of pain.

“You’re in bad shape,” she said, voice softer once more. “Who did this to you?”

“Doesn’t matter. I deserved it.” Maybe I didn’t deserve all the other shit going on in my life, but Maxine was right, I had cheated her. Did I deserve to be beaten near to death? Who knows. Gaia knew I didn’t.

“Doubtful,” she answered.

I took another deep breath and nearly cried when my chest rose and fell without screaming agony.

“Breathe. You need it,” she ordered.

“I do, but not at what it will cost you. Seriously, you need to stop.” Those were the last words I truly wanted to speak. I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to beg my small brownie savior to keep going, to heal my broken fingers and busted face. But I couldn’t do that.

“I’ll stop,” she thankfully agreed. “Momma should be here soon, and she can do the rest.”

“Shit,” I cursed. A brownie kid’s mom showing up was the last thing I needed.

Most likely she’d undo all the good her daughter had done.

One did not fuck with a brownie. My father had learned that the hard way, and it was a lesson I more than took to heart.

Would her mom understand that I had nothing to do with this?

Fuck, I wasn’t even sure how she’d gotten in the alley with me.

Was I even still in the alley? One deep inhale told me I was.

I’d know that Gaia-awful stench anywhere.

“Don’t worry. Momma’s good.”

It wasn’t that I doubted that. Every damn brownie was good . They were also protective and rightfully so. “Most likely but—”

“Byx!” I cringed when I heard that heartfelt cry.

“Oh, honey.” I still couldn’t open my eyes.

All I could do was feel when the small brownie—Byx if the one calling her name was to be believed—was removed from my side.

The warmth her small form had afforded me fled, and I was left shivering.

With my ribs and chest healed, other aches and pains scrambled for attention.

“He’s hurt, Momma. I healed part of him,” Byx said. She didn’t sound tired. I could only hope she hadn’t spent too much of her energy.

“I know, sweetie.” The voice was similar to Byx’s but weightier. Richer somehow.

“Whew, you weren’t kidding. He’s a mess. You sure this is the one?” Just how many brownies were in the alley with me? This one sounded sassy, just like Byx had earlier.

There was no immediate answer, and I flinched when I felt fingers touch my puffy, painful cheek. “Positive. Lilian, can you please take Byx back to the shop and close up for me?”

There was a pause. “Are you sure? I think maybe we should stay, or I could get—”

“I’m positive. Vander and I are going to be just fine.”

My brain clicked into gear. “How do you—”

“How do I know your name?” Her laughter was soft and warmed more than my skin. “It’s a long story. How about we fix your eyes so you can see me properly?”

I wasn’t about to argue. Similar warmth spread across my face, decreasing the swelling.

Blinking, I found myself staring into deep brown eyes sitting in a lighter brown face.

I was right. She was a brownie. Brownies were named that for a reason.

It wasn’t a terribly creative reason, but it was what it was, and I’d never once heard them complain.

All brownies were similar. While they were different shades of brown, all wore that color in the most spectacular of ways.

As soon as I could see her properly, I said, “I told her to stop. Honest to Gaia, I’m not ever sure where she came from. I just woke up, and Byx was there, her hand on my chest and—”

“Hush.” She placed a finger on my no longer cracked and busted lips. “I know what she did, and I know what you tried to do. I’m Georgiana, by the way.”

“Vander,” I answered. “But I guess you somehow already know that.”

“I do.” Her smile was soft and warm, but there was a hint of sadness I didn’t understand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. Although, I’ll admit, this wasn’t how I expected it to happen.

” My face must have expressed my inner confusion because Georgiana simply smiled wider and reached for my hands. “Here, let me take care of that too.”

Heat swarmed around my fingers, the bones mending, taking their broken pain with them. Inhaling, I stared at my functioning fingers and frowned. “Maxine will be very disappointed when she sees me up and moving so soon.”

Georgiana’s head cocked to the side. “I assume this Maxine was the one who laid you on your ass.”

“You assume correctly. And, just to be clear, Maxine is a big-ass troll.” Pride was a damnable thing, and for some reason, I didn’t want this brownie to think I couldn’t take care of myself.

With a roll of her large brown eyes, Georgiana replied, “All trolls are big. They’re born big. Come on, Vander.” She stood and held out her diminutive hand.

I hesitated taking it. “I can’t pay you.” I licked my dry lips. “I should have told you that before you healed me. That’s on me, but I don’t care how much you squeeze me, I don’t have shit to offer.”

“I don’t remember asking for payment.”

“I—” My mouth opened and slammed closed. “Nothing’s free.” That was one of the first lessons my dad had taught me.

Georgiana shrugged. “I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that. Payment can be seen in many different ways. Money is only one option.”

I scoffed. “It’s the only one anyone I’ve known has ever been interested in.”

“Then I’d say you haven’t been hanging out with the right individuals.”

My scoff turned into a chuckle. “Yeah. I think that’s fair to say.”

She offered her hand again. “Then come with me, and let’s see if we can introduce you to a different atmosphere.” When I didn’t immediately reach for her hand, Georgiana glanced around the alleyway, her little nose scrunched in distaste. “What do you have to lose?”

What indeed? Nothing. Abso-fucking-lutely nothing at all.

I finally grasped her hand. Georgiana’s fingers looked delicate within my larger hand.

It was deceiving. That tiny hand held more magic than I’d ever be able to conjure.

Brownies were like that. They buzzed with the stuff.

It was a heady feeling, touching her skin.

I was surprised how steady I felt when I got my feet under me and stood. Carefully pushing away from the brick wall that I’d called home for the last Gaia only knew hours, I followed Georgiana out of the alley and into the waning sunlight.

“So, where are we going?” I asked while stuffing my hands into my pants pockets. The concerned glances we garnered as we wandered down the street had nothing to do with our size differences and everything to do with the dried blood on my shirt and the tears in its fabric.

“Home,” Georgiana answered. “We’re going home, Vander.”

G eorgiana

My guest looked lost. Vander’s dark eyes peered into every corner as if he expected something sinister to jump out at any moment.

“Make yourself comfortable while I put Byx to bed.” While my daughter was still young and small, holding her within my arms was becoming increasingly difficult.

Byx hadn’t drained too much of her magic while healing Vander, but she’d definitely tired herself out.

Between her first transportation and mending flesh and bone, Byx was beat.

Vander’s eyebrows shot skyward. “I can just go.” Thumbing his hand toward the door, Vander motioned at the exit.

“Sit,” I commanded. I’m not embarrassed to say that I put a hefty magical push into that single word.

Vander immediately sat. His tall, lanky frame appeared beyond humorous sitting on my petite, brownie-sized couch.

Given how well he’d complied, it was all I could do to refrain from calling him a good boy .

Instead, I gave a nod of acceptance and continued carrying Byx to her bedroom.

Byx’s bed fit her well, which meant she’d need an upgrade soon. Brownies aged slower than most species. We started small and remained that way. However, we did grow, and when Byx stretched out, her toes nearly came to edge of the mattress.

“I like him, Momma. He feels good,” Byx said on yawn. Snuggling under her covers, Byx shivered before settling.

Byx’s hair was a darker shade than mine, and I brushed her bangs from her face, tucking her hair behind a slightly tipped ear. “Is that why you transported to him?”