Page 20 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox's Story (Perfect Pixie Series Book 5)

Phlox

Goddess, I wanted Leon. My skin itched like it was too tight. We weren’t bonded, not in the pixie or vampire way. Being away from him wouldn’t be physically dangerous. I wasn’t so certain about the emotional aspect of things. The sun was almost down. If I called, Leon would be awake enough to answer. He’d still be down in Lucroy’s sanctuary underneath Dusk. He could safely leave soon.

My phone was a heavy weight within a loose pocket. I left it where it was. I wasn’t certain how long it would take Peaches to recover Aurelia and I didn’t want to rush a conversation. Besides, talking with Leon right now would probably make me crave his presence more. I needed to keep a cool, level head. Especially if a djinn was involved.

Little dots of far-off lights lit up the sky, surrounding Peaches in a twinkling cloud. Dusk had settled in enough for the sprites to begin showing off their true glory.

Peaches’s hands were clasped in front of him, holding something close to his chest. I couldn’t see what he cradled but could only assume it was Aurelia’s object of attachment.

“I’ve got her,” Peaches said as he dropped down beside Lucroy. “Are you certain we have to do this?” Peaches asked Ray.

“Beloved, I do not believe this is a request Hellfire makes lightly.”

I didn’t think it was truly a request but didn’t argue with Lucroy.

“Indeed, it is not,” Ray answered.

“Okay.” Peaches stared down at the dirt covered amphora within his cupped palms. Wendall stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Peaches’s arm. Trinket scurried over and perched on Peaches’s shoulder, leaning in and cooing her support.

“Thanks, Trinket.” Peaches dug his fingers into her fur, scratching lightly before he sucked in a deep breath and said, “Aurelia, I wish for your presence.”

At first, nothing happened. Then a hazy mist eased from the amphora. The Caribbean blue mist coalesced and a figure formed.

“Sweet Gaia. Look at all that ink,” Erasmus barely whispered. He moved closer to me, perhaps seeking comfort in the only other one who hadn’t met a djinn before.

Erasmus wasn’t wrong. The being standing there in combat boots, ripped jeans, tank top, and flannel was bald. Inked markings ran along nearly all her visible skin. Golden hoops and rings pierced through Aurelia’s large, pointed ears. Her thick, plush lips pouted, and her eyes dangerously narrowed when she stared at the congregation surrounding her.

“Master,” Aurelia gritted out when she stared at Peaches.

“No. Goddess, no.” Peaches frantically waved his hands in front of his chest, Aurelia’s object of attachment clasped in one hand. “Please don’t call me that. I’m no one’s master. Or, at least, I don’t want to be. Please, Aurelia, call me Peaches.”

Some of the hostility leaked from Aurelia’s tense posture.

Beside me, so quiet I doubted anyone else could hear, Erasmus stuttered, “That’s…strange.”

Personally, I thought the whole thing was strange and ignored him.

“You promised me rest, Peaches. And yet, you’ve called me back…already.” Aurelia glanced around the area probably noting no one had changed since the last time she’d seen them.

“I’m so sorry about that,” Peaches apologized.

“It was not his desire.” Ray stepped forward. “I felt it necessary and for that, you also have my apologies, Aurelia.”

“And my thanks,” Wendall jumped in, rushing to Aurelia and pulling her into his arms, hugging her tight. Aurelia stood there, arms at her sides, eyes wide, and expression deeply confused. “You saved me. And you made it so Ray and I can be together for a long time by increasing my fairy DNA. I can’t thank you enough.” Wendall offered a final squeeze before pulling away. Aurelia continued staring at him as if he were a puzzle she wasn’t certain she wanted to figure out.

Wendall appeared unfazed. Hopping from Peaches to Wendall, Trinket nestled in close, cooing her thanks as well.

Wendall stepped back and sheepishly said, “I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get a chance to thank you properly.”

“And that is the reason I was awoken? So you might…thank me?”

“I wish,” Vander huffed sounding exhausted. Aurelia’s attention immediately snapped to the warlock.

Instead of Vander answering, Ray stepped closer, once more wrapping his arm around Wendall’s side. “It appears as if another might be looking for a djinn of their own.”

Aurelia’s large eyes blinked while her expression remained blank, as if she were awaiting the real reason she’d been disturbed.

When nothing appeared forthcoming, Ray continued, “Djinn history has either been lost or purposefully forgotten. We seek information only, Aurelia.”

“And you believe this is a concern I share?” Aurelia sounded one part puzzled and two parts irritated. Call me crazy, but I didn’t think an annoyed djinn was a positive sign.

Gaze shifting from Ray to Peaches, Aurelia’s posture stiffened again when she asked, “Is this something you wish?” She didn’t call him Peaches, but Aurelia didn’t call him master either. Small steps were important.

Peaches wildly shook his head. “No. I won’t make you tell us anything.” Peaches shot Ray a pointed look. “Not even if that’s what others want.” Peaches gripped the amphora tight, and I noticed Lucroy took step forward.

“If that is my beloved’s choice, then he has my full support.”

“And mine,” Wendall quickly followed before lifting his watery blue eyes to Ray. “Listen, I know this is important, but if Aurelia doesn’t want to discuss her species’ past, then we need to respect that. We made her a promise and that’s important. I’m sorry, Ray, but I can’t ask Peaches to force her.”

Ray’s fingers carded through Wendall’s wavy blond hair, lightly skimming his scalp. “If those are your feelings, I will respect them.”

Witnessing a fairy defer to anyone less than 100 percent fairy, was…odd. Maybe Aurelia thought so too or perhaps it was the collective agreement that for once in her djinn life, she wouldn’t be forced into action. Whatever the reason, her demeanor instantly changed. Relaxing significantly, Aurelia’s stone-cold features also eased. I wouldn’t go so far to say she smiled, but she had a lot more in common with the Mona Lisa than she’d had about two minutes ago.

“Very well,” Aurelia said. “What is it you wish to know? I cannot guarantee I will have the answer and even if I do, I will decide if I wish to impart the information.” She glanced Peaches’s way and at his nod, Aurelia inhaled deeply and added, “However, I can promise not to lie. If I answer, it will be the truth as I understand it.”

“More than acceptable.” Peaches beamed. “Thank you, Aurelia.”

With a barely perceptible nod in Peaches’s direction, Aurelia turned her attention back on Ray. “What is it you wish to know?”

Ray didn’t hesitate. “Do you know how many djinn were created?”

“Twenty-seven,” Aurelia answered without hesitation. A collective groan went through our group.

“Twenty-seven. Shit,” Parsnip vocalized. “That’s a lot of djinn. Are they all active?” Parsnip glanced around our circle before settling his gaze on Aurelia.

“Do you mean, are they all awake and within a master’s possession?” When Parsnip nodded, Aurelia shrugged. “That is beyond my knowledge. We are not aware of each other on a subconscious level. I do not sense other djinn. Generally, we make our presence known to one another.”

“Do djinn fight each other?” Vander asked.

Inhaling deeply, Aurelia’s gaze turned distant. “When we were first created, but it was quickly deemed futile.” Waving a dismissive hand, Aurelia calmly answered, “Djinn are equal. There were never any winners or losers. It was a waste of energy and time.”

I swallowed hard and spoke for the first time. “You mean, djinn can’t destroy other djinn?”

Aurelia’s gaze locked on me and this time she did grin. I couldn’t decide if it was malicious, curious, or fond. I figured I was safest to assume it was the first. “Another pixie? Your group becomes increasingly curious, Hellfire Rayburn.”

I’d argue that we weren’t exactly Ray’s group but that seemed like foolish semantics at this point.

“In answer, no, we cannot destroy each other. Nothing can destroy a djinn,” Aurelia confidently stated.

“Um…I’m not sure that’s true.”

Every set of eyes bore down on Erasmus. Shoulders rounded, hands stuffed in his pockets and head hanging, Erasmus back tracked. “Like I said, I’m not sure it’s true. It might be but…”

“But what?” I asked. “What do you know?”

“And what are you?” Aurelia stepped closer. Her movements weren’t necessarily aggressive, but I didn’t like her increasing proximity. I wasn’t sure if Erasmus’s shifting feet were a sign he felt the same or if he was nervous because of his earlier statement.

Eyes slipping closed, Aurelia’s chin jutted out slightly. Multiple tattoos came to life, glowing in the early evening. It almost looked like she was scenting the air or maybe just concentrating really hard. Either way, whatever she did didn’t give her any further answers. Her eyes snapped open, and she glared. “Are you part of a species or are you a single anomaly?”

“Uh, I suppose I’m part of a species.” Erasmus glanced from Aurelia to Vander.

Clearing his throat, Vander said, “Erasmus is a necromancer. He is warlock born. They did not exist when you were created. It is very possible you have never crossed paths with them as necromancers are uncommon.”

“Necromancer?” Aurelia sounded more curious than judgmental. “Similar to the priestess, Muriel?”

Erasmus shook his head. “Yeah, no. I mean, maybe a little, but not really. We both deal with the dead, but my talent lies in a slightly different area.”

Vander stepped in to clarify. “Necromancers bring back the dead’s consciousness. That’s not something priests or priestesses can do.”

“Except with me,” Wendall chimed in. “I was a little different because of my fairy blood.”

Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. “I am uncertain I understand the finer points, but I do not believe it is of any significance.”

Erasmus’s foot shifting increased, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, in this case, I think it might be really significant. Then again, I’m not entirely certain.”

Ray moved closer and Wendall followed. Honestly, I think everyone tightened their circle around Erasmus.

“Explain,” Ray demanded.

Erasmus glanced at all of us before settling his gaze on Peaches or more precisely, what Peaches held within his hands. When he asked, “Can I see that?” and pointed at the amphora, everyone stiffened and the anxiety spilling into the night increased.

“Absolutely not,” Lucroy answered first.

“I’m sorry, Erasmus,” Peaches offered, “but I can’t just hand Aurelia’s object of attachment over to anyone.”

“Oh!” Erasmus waved his hands in a placating manner. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just need to get closer. I don’t actually need to touch it. I mean, touching it might help, but I think I can figure things out without physical contact.”

Figure what out?I glanced around, wondering if I was the only one completely lost.

“Just give me a minute.” The first hint of irritation colored Erasmus’s words. “I’ve had this weird feeling since Peaches brought that amphora out of the woods. If I can get a closer look, I’ll be able to clear this up. I think.” Erasmus cocked his head to the side, thinking. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be obtuse on purpose. I’ve never met a djinn before or been around their object of attachment. This is all new for me too.”

Peaches looked to Lucroy first, followed by Ray. Neither seemed to have any direct objections. Then he asked, Aurelia. “Do you mind if he takes a closer look?”

Aurelia’s lips twitched into the hint of a smile. “I do not. Thank you for asking.”

“Of course,” Peaches answered before flying closer, Lucroy hot on his heels.

Holding out his cupped hands, Peaches moved the amphora a little closer. I wasn’t a witch, warlock, fairy, or brownie. As far as I was concerned, the lump of ancient clay Peaches held was little more than an antique.

It was way more than that to Erasmus.

“Holy shit. I didn’t know that was possible.” Erasmus held his hand closer, palm outstretched but just shy of physical touch. Licking his lips, Erasmus’s wide eyes darted from the amphora to Aurelia before he asked, “How were you created?”

Aurelia’s lips curled into a snarl. “Witch magic.”

Erasmus nodded. “Yeah, I know that much, but I mean, how did the witch create you?”

Aurelia’s animosity fled and she was left blankly staring. “I am not a witch. I do not know.”

Vander said, “We’d need Mattie here to give a full account or tell us as much as she knows. I’m no witch either, but I can tell you there are layered spells. The closest analogy would be an onion. Thankfully, Aurelia’s restrictions are on the outermost layer and the easiest to break. Deeper down, at her very core, is her connection to her object of attachment. That one would take days to reach and break. Why do you ask?”

Erasmus’s attention was glued to the amphora. “And all djinn have an object of attachment,” he stated more than asked.

Aurelia still answered, “Yes.”

“And whoever has possession of it controls you?” Erasmus asked.

“Yes,” Aurelia hissed.

“And when you touch the object?”

“I am pulled back inside. I am incapable of moving my object on my own.” Aurelia sounded infinitely disappointed by this fact.

“Interesting.” Erasmus continued staring at the amphora. “Like I said before, I’ve never seen anything like this. I didn’t know it was possible.” He swallowed hard. “That’s probably a good thing. I don’t think this kind of information would be beneficial if let loose into the world.”

“And what information would that be?” Ray calmly asked.

Erasmus opened his mouth before slamming it shut. His gaze took on a shifty air.

“Erasmus.” This time, Ray’s tone was stronger. “While I may not force Aurelia’s voice, I have no qualms forcing yours.”

Erasmus stood tall, shoulders back and expression hard. “Are you threatening me?”

“You may take it as you wish. The existence of djinn are a threat to this world and possibly Fairy. While djinn themselves are not the exact threat, those who would seek their power to use for nefarious means are. Djinn were created as weapons, and unfortunately, those who seek them do not have noble intentions. Make no mistake, this issue is of the utmost importance to my queen.”

“Aunt Silvidia wants the pixie trafficking ring shut down yesterday.” Wendall backed Ray up. “And if the reason for the ring has anything to do with finding a djinn, then I think we already know that the one searching has the morals of a… Well, I can’t think of anything to tag right now. The point is, this individual doesn’t care about life and is willing to squander it to their end goal. Someone like that should never have access to a djinn, and if they do find one, then it will be bad. Really bad.” Wendall swallowed hard. “We got really lucky with Aurelia. I wouldn’t want to push that luck.”

“And if there is a way to defeat a djinn, then that knowledge would be immensely helpful,” Parsnip said.

Erasmus appeared torn. I wasn’t sure if it was Ray’s threat or Wendall’s plea. Whatever it was loosened Erasmus’s tongue. “That,” he said, pointing at Aurelia’s amphora, “is way more than it appears.” With a grumbled head toss, Erasmus said, “I’m not sure exactly how a djinn is created, but I can tell you they didn’t start out that way. Most likely witches had to have something to work with, a base living organism. Don’t ask me how, but they tore the life from that living creature and if Aurelia’s amphora is anything to go by, they ingrained it into their object of attachment.

“You mean… What exactly are you saying?” Wendall asked, words breathy.

“Plain and simple, Aurelia’s object of attachment contains her consciousness and life force. Some might say it contains her very soul.”

Our circled group grew deathly silent. Only the far-off sounds of Peaches’s sprites mixed with crickets, bullfrogs, and the wind whispering through the trees could be heard. Erasmus’s verbal bomb destroyed everyone’s ability to speak.