Page 8 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox's Story (Perfect Pixie Series Book 5)

Leon

“Is there something you wish to tell me?” Lucroy asked as he lounged against the booth seat opposite me. Peaches was at the bar, socializing with Johnny and Lizbeth. He offered a cursory greeting to Phlox but managed to keep the interaction to a minimum. Peaches was exhibiting a generous amount of self-control.

“I don’t follow.” Lucroy and I were friends, but that didn’t automatically mean we shared everything. I rarely offered information without knowing what the one doing the questioning truly knew.

Lucroy’s gentle smirk signaled he was game to play. “I see. Perhaps I should be more specific.” Still at his leisure, Lucroy tapped his slender fingers along the back of his seat. “I spoke with Lizbeth…or perhaps the more accurate description would be Lizbeth spoke with me. It seems our human bartender was rather concerned earlier this evening.”

“Was she?” I took a sip of blood and barely concealed a cringe. My human blend tasted increasingly foul. I hadn’t taken a sip of Phlox’s blood and yet it was all I craved. No wonder Lucroy had been so set on tasting Peaches. At the time, I’d viewed it as ridiculously risky. I had a new appreciation regarding Lucroy’s need now.

“Mm-hmm. It seems you did something completely out of character and lost control of your transformation. It also seems Frost was at the center of that mishap.”

It sounded odd hearing Lucroy call Phlox Frost. Now that I knew his true name, Frost seemed wrong. And yet, it also seemed right. At least, right for everyone else.

When I remained silent, Lucroy said, “I do not ask out of a need for gossip. I am truly concerned. If there is a problem between the two of you, then I—”

“There is no problem.” I rarely interrupted my king, and yet I could not hold my tongue. “At least, there is not a problem like you believe. I assure you, Frost is completely safe within my care.” Per his desire, I used Phlox’s agent name when speaking with Lucroy. It tasted wrong on my tongue, but I would do as he asked.

Lucroy arched a single eyebrow. “Forgive me, but that is not the way Lizbeth saw things.”

We both trusted the human, so I did not take offense. “I do not fault Lizbeth’s recall. From her perspective, I am sure the situation was…uncomfortable.”

Lucroy’s second eyebrow met the first. “Uncomfortable?”

Had I been a younger vampire, I would have squirmed. Ignoring the purposefully understated word, I said, “Frost and I worked through our issues.” That wasn’t completely true. Phlox and I had a lot that still needed to be verbalized. Or perhaps, words were overrated, and action was what was truly needed. I would not drink from him until Phlox was ready. However, there were other ways we could enjoy each other without sharing blood. Swapping other body fluids hadn’t been discussed yet.

“That is good to hear, but I must ask what prompted this uncomfortable event?”

As king of the Southeastern nest, it was Lucroy’s duty to question me. Understanding the need did not diminish the irritation.

“He left the building.” When Lucroy only stared at me, I added, “During the daylight.”

Lucroy’s slow blink was purposeful. “And that was a concern why?”

My fingers dug into my palms. A quick glance toward the other end of the bar reassured me Phlox was fine and unharmed. He was currently cleaning a four top. Wendall was in the back washing glassware.

“I could not follow,” I ground out. My teeth desperately wanted to lengthen, and I fought the transformation urge with everything I had.

Lucroy stared, his dark eyes revealing nothing. His casual posture belied his sharp mind. We remained silent, Dusk’s surrounding music a pounding base drum constantly beating in the background. I knew the moment Lucroy understood. I doubt another would have noticed the subtle uptick of his brows.

“I see,” Lucroy stated, and I knew, without a doubt, that he truly did understand. “Will this be a problem?”

“As I said, Frost and I discussed the situation. I believe he is wary but not unamenable to my affections.”

The corner of Lucroy’s lip barely twitched. “While that is excellent news, it is not what I meant. Frost is important to you. If the situation is as I believe, then I cannot imagine willingly allowing Peaches to place himself in danger. I would… It would not be pleasant.”

I wanted to huff. It was an antiquated reaction, a leftover instinct from my human life. “I will admit that I am struggling with Frost’s mission. I am uncertain if I can allow his capture. While I understand the importance of shutting down this ring, I do not relish the idea that Frost is being used as bait.”

“So far, very unsuccessful bait,” Lucroy said.

“I believe that was the reason for his daytime trip. Frost is attempting to appear as fragile and alone as possible.”

“Most reports are of pixies being taken at night or in the early morning hours before dawn. I find his daytime choice odd.” Lucroy cocked his head to the side.

Somehow, I managed not to squirm under his scrutiny. “There could be a reason he chose that time.”

“Oh? Has he learned something I am unaware of?”

“Not in the way you imagine,” I hedged before giving in. “Frost has gone out in the dark, alone, on several occasions. It is difficult, allowing him to appear so vulnerable with no one there to watch his back. I might have followed him previously.” I’d followed on every occasion but did not feel the need to reveal myself so completely.

“I see,” Lucroy answered after a few tense seconds. “Indeed, it appears we do have a problem then.”

Golden pixie dust filled the air before Peaches flew over the back of the booth seat, plopping down beside his beloved.

“What did I miss? You two look tensor than usual.” Peaches’s eyes widened as he brought his cup of honeysuckle mead to his lips. “Goddess, that is heavenly,” Peaches’s eyelashes fluttered, and he relaxed into Lucroy’s outstretched arm, snuggling in. Jealously slammed through me hard and fast. I wanted that.

I’d been jealous before, but it was a mere echo of the green monster currently stirring my soul. I did not begrudge Lucroy his happiness. I simply wanted something similar. Now that I’d found Phlox, I realized just how badly I not only wanted but needed it.

I craved the intimacy, the casual knowledge that I’d never be alone again, that there was a being within this world that treasured my existence as much as I treasured theirs. It was a clawing need, desperate for release.

Lucroy was correct. We had a problem, and that problem was me.

* * *

Itried not following, but it was impossible. Phlox went out again tonight. He didn’t tell me his plans. He didn’t need to. Every sense in my body was attuned to his every move and intention. I could call it what it was—obsession. It was as dirty word, one that I hated, and yet it seemed the most appropriate. Had circumstances been different, I do not believe Phlox would have minded my obsession. But right now, he was irritated.

“I know you’re there, asshole.” Phlox stood below a streetlight, leaning against the dirty surface, hands stuffed into the pockets of his loose pants. There weren’t a lot of souls out and about at five a.m. Most vampires had gone to ground. For those who enjoyed the night, the coming daylight also had them crawling back to their chosen homes.

Phlox huffed. “And if I know you’re there, then you can bet I’m not the only one. Goddess, Leon, this is never going to work with you breathing down my neck all the time.”

I wanted to say, “Good, because I don’t want it to work,” but Phlox would view that as selfish. That vice was difficult for a vampire to wrap their head around. As a general rule, selfishness was not considered a poor quality in my kind.

Throwing up his hands, Phlox stomped his foot before taking to the air again. “This is pointless. I’m calling it a night. Do you hear me, Leon? I’m going back to Dusk.” True to his word, Phlox’s flight plan headed back to Dusk. Stepping out of my darkened corner, I followed. I caught a few mumbled comments regarding overprotective vampires, stupid vampires, meddling vampires, and a litany of other disparaging words placed before my species designation.

I ignored them all while remaining stubbornly silent. Phlox added that dubious trait to his list as well.

Suddenly twirling, Phlox pointed a finger at my chest. Yellow rimmed his blue eyes, a sure sign he was furious. “You have to stop this. No one is going to go after me if you’re shadowing my every damn move.”

I gave a slow blink and remained silent.

“Goddess, you’re infuriating.” Phlox smacked his hand against my chest before wincing. Shaking out his hand, Phlox mumbled, “Fucking made of stone.”

“Are you injured?” I finally broke my silence.

“Just my damn pride,” Phlox grumbled. Sometimes my pixie didn’t sound very pixie-like.

Shoulders slumped, Phlox tilted his head toward Dusk and said, “Come on. Let’s get you home before the sun rises and fries your vampire ass.”

I followed, this time a little closer than before. I didn’t crowd Phlox, but it was a near thing. My pixie smelled divine. Not just his blood, but him.

“You are concerned?” I asked, fishing.

“Of course I’m concerned. Knowing you, you’ll push things right up to the limit and the sun isn’t anything to mess with, not if you’re a vamp.”

While Phlox was correct, I answered, “The early rays would only cause severe irritation. I would survive their touch.”

Phlox blew out an exasperated breath. “And you think the thought of you in pain is better?” He held his hand out flat and tilted it back and forth. “That’s only marginally better than thinking of you as a pile of ash.”

“It is good to know you care,” I deadpanned.

“Ass.” Phlox backhanded me, the touch far gentler and more reserved than his previous whack. Head down, Phlox glanced my direction, his eyes uncertain as he chewed on his bottom lip. “Seriously, Leon. We have a problem. I was sent here with a mission and your attentions are interfering with that. Honestly, at this point, I don’t even know if this would work without you following me. It’s damn frustrating.” Phlox stopped flying and his bare toes landed on the sidewalk. Pixies didn’t seem to mind a little dirt and who knew what else on their bare skin.

Running his fingers through his hair, Phlox looked horribly dejected. “I hate failing.” Those words were barely above a whisper. “Especially this case. I… My mom, she…” Phlox angrily shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. That was a long time ago. This is now and this shit’s still going on. It’s even worse this time.”

“Because other species are involved?” I guessed.

Phlox nodded. “Greed’s a bitch. I’ll never understand how anyone can be okay with profiting off another’s suffering or death.”

Vampires had a different moral code. Some might say we had no moral code. That wasn’t completely true. Our second lives were much different than our first ones. The rules were different, the game was different, and success and failure were measured differently. One had to change or one quickly succumbed. Defeat often meant permanent death.

Head tilted, Phlox’s gaze found mine. His eyes were warm and understanding and a gentle smile tilted his lips. “I’m not sure you feel the same.”

“I do and do not. I do not relish suffering when it is unearned or has no greater purpose. Suffering and death are wasteful. Vampires do retain the urge to protect. It is only that what we value and deem worthy of that fierce protection often changes during our second lives.” I didn’t know how else to describe it. “Loyalty is a trait nearly every vampire admires.” Nearly didn’t mean all. Lucroy and I knew that better than most, and by the time a vampire reached my age, they were also keenly aware.

“You’re loyal to Lucroy,” Phlox said.

“I am. I am also loyal to our nest and his beloved.”

“Peaches.”

“Unless Lucroy has acquired another beloved I am unaware of,” I teased.

Phlox reached out to smack me again, but this time I caught his wrist and pulled him close. Phlox came willingly, not an ounce of protest on his plump lips. He didn’t pull away when I dipped my head closer. He didn’t tell me to stop when I was mere inches away from his lips, and he didn’t so much as utter a whispered decent when I lowered my head.

Warmth exploded across my skin. I could feel the pulse of Phlox’s blood bounding through his flushed lips, the sound louder as it raced up his neck, flushing his cheeks. Needy sounds swam up from deep within his chest, escaping here and there as I licked and plundered his mouth. Rumbling began, reverberating through Phlox’s throat and pouring into the early morning air.

Phlox leaned into me, pushing his body against mine. I could easily feel the thick, solid length of his cock press against my leg. I’d managed enough blood earlier that my own erection answered the call.

Reluctantly pulling away, Phlox tilted his head back and gasped. “Air…fuck…need to breath.” I didn’t have such constraints and immediately began licking his luscious neck.

“Shit, that feels good,” Phlox panted. That odd rumbling continued. It was pleasant and spurred my actions. I dove in, nipping at the flesh and bringing that delicious blood closer to the surface. I wouldn’t bite, no matter how badly instinct told me to. I’d wait for Phlox’s permission. That didn’t stop me enjoying the taste of his flesh on my tongue. Nothing could stop that immense pleasure. Nothing except the sun.

Yanking away, I slapped my hand over my face. That stopped the stinging pain in my cheek, but my hand began sizzling.

“Shit! Goddess, Leon. Come on.”

Phlox grabbed my arm and pulled. He flew like a maniac, tugging me after as the sun continued rising. A few cups of blood and a day or two of rest and I’d be right as rain. But right now, the sun’s rays stung like a son of a bitch.

“Almost there,” Phlox shouted, barely tilting his head enough to look back at me. I could see Dusk rise up in the background. My body felt increasingly sluggish. It was still early enough that I wouldn’t fall asleep, but my body wasn’t as reactive as it should be.

I heard the jingle of keys as Phlox dug out the one for the front door. He dropped them once, cursed, and picked them up. Shoving the key into the slot, I heard the click of the door before Phlox grabbed ahold of my wrist and said, “Got it. Almost safe, just a—”

Phlox didn’t finish. Blindingly white light surrounded us. My stomach rolled and then I knew no more.