30. Phil
Phil
I heard the door close and shut my eyes in misery.
I’d hoped to speak with Sedrick this morning.
I couldn’t take another night like the last. Sedrick had been so cold before he’d gone to bed.
When I’d heard him leave his room this morning, I’d half expected him to knock on Ruthie’s door and tell me I needed to leave—that I was no longer welcome.
I had no idea what had changed in that brief time, but I was determined to find out.
I’d do whatever I could to fix things. I just needed to know what needed mending.
Sedrick always had breakfast with Dillon and Ruthie. But Sedrick had other ideas and left before the children were even up. It was atypical.
Pushing out of bed, I yawned and cracked my neck. My eyes felt like sandpaper and heavy as lead. Part of me wanted to continue lying there, but Dillon and Ruthie would be up soon. Sedrick might not have stayed for breakfast, but I couldn’t let the kids go hungry.
Dressing, I spent a few minutes getting my hair back to rights or at least brushed.
Headed for the kitchen, I decided to lighten the mood by making the kids a special batch of pancakes.
I’d found some cinnamon chips and decided today was the day to use them.
By the time Ruthie and Dillon funneled out of Dillon’s room, the house smelled of cinnamon and bacon.
“Where’s Uncle Sed?” Dillon managed to garble after shoving half a pancake into his mouth, moaning around it.
“He had to leave early.” I kept my answer brief and honest. “Do you want another pancake?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
Dillon nodded while swallowing. Ruthie followed his lead. I cringed when I saw Ruthie run her sticky, syrup-covered fingers through her hair, pushing the tangled clump overhanging her forehead away.
Ignoring Ruthie’s sticky mess for now, I settled a couple more pancakes on each of their plates. Dillon and Ruthie didn’t attack them as vigorously, and I figured that meant they were getting full.
“Did Uncle Sed even have breakfast?” Dillon asked after downing the rest of his milk.
I glanced at the kitchen, remembering it had been as pristine this morning as when I’d gone to bed. “I don’t think so.” I got up and quickly checked the refrigerator and noted nothing was missing from there either.
“He should have at least stopped for something.” Dillon frowned, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was concerned about his uncle or he’d just noticed Ruthie’s face and hair were covered in syrup.
Dillon scrubbed Ruthie’s face. He didn’t get very far and let loose a sigh worthy of any adult. “Maybe we should take him some breakfast,” Dillon said casually. “The mine isn’t that far away.”
My wings fluttered, and my heart picked up speed. “That’s an excellent idea. Why don’t you and Ruthie get cleaned up, and we’ll make a field trip of it.” The children hardly ever got to leave the house and its grounds. I didn’t think Sedrick would have a problem with me bringing them to the mine.
Dillon jumped off his chair and threw a fist pump into the air. Despite my anxiety, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on, Ruthie. You’re a mess.” Dillon practically dragged his sister off her chair and pulled her to the bathroom.
I heard the water running and decided Dillon could take care of Ruthie on his own.
He’d been doing a great job with his younger sister, and I had no reason to believe today would be any different.
While the kids got clean, I decided to work on Sedrick’s breakfast. It would need to be something portable.
I settled on a breakfast burrito and got busy.
By the time Sedrick’s food was done, Dillon and Ruthie scuttled down the hall.
They were clean but hardly dry. It was warm enough outside that I didn’t think damp hair would be too much of a concern.
“You two ready?” I asked needlessly.
“You bet,” Dillon eagerly answered while Ruthie bobbed her head. “You think we can hang out with Burt and Ollie?”
I’d heard Sedrick speak of the dwarves that ran the mine.
“If they have time,” I answered while heading for the door.
My hand barely grasped the knob before the door opened.
“It sounds like the mine is really busy right now, so we’ll have to see.
It might be a quick trip just to drop off your uncle’s food. ”
Dillon nodded and ran outside. Having never been to the mine, I followed his lead, basket in hand with the scent of cheese, eggs, bacon, and ham wafting from within.
* * *
“D amn, look how big you’ve gotten. Come over here so I can hug the shit out of you.”
I stared, open-mouthed, at the dust-covered dwarf beaming up at Dillon and Ruthie. I wasn’t sure if this was Burt or Oliver. Given his crass, relaxed attitude, I was betting on Oliver.
“Hey, Ollie.” Dillon proved me right when he ran up to the dwarf, falling into his arms and allowing the life to be squeezed from him.
“You too, little missy. Don’t think you’re gonna escape these arms.”
Ruthie giggled as she was pulled into a crushing hug and spun around.
Oliver set Ruthie down and rubbed her head, messing up the pigtails Dillon had divided Ruthie’s hair into.
Having greeted the kids, Oliver turned his attention to me.
A low whistle slid past his lips. “You must be Phil.” Oliver grinned up at me.
His eyes sparked with mischief, and I had the feeling it was more common than not.
“What gave it away?” I decided to joke back. “Was it the wings, the pink hair, or my height?”
“All of the above.” Oliver grinned, showing off his worn teeth. “You sure are a pretty one.”
Pink pixie dust littered the area as I flushed with the unexpected compliment.
Oliver backed away and sneezed.
I stilled my wings. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to keep better control over them.” I pointed to my back and wings that still wanted to flutter.
“Nonsense.” Oliver waved a hand in front of his face, dissipating the fading dust. “It’s a hell of a lot cleaner than what I’m used to breathin’ in.” Oliver’s gaze swiveled between the three of us, his head tilted. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?”
Dillon spoke up before I had a chance to answer.
“Uncle Sedrick had to get in early today and didn’t have time for breakfast.” Dillon pointed to the basket in my hands.
“Phil made him something to eat, and we brought it over.” Dillon puffed up his chest and placed his hands on his hips.
Sedrick was right. Dillon had good alpha instincts.
He may not be Sedrick’s alpha, but he cared for the pack as if he was.
Oliver’s eyebrows rose. “Didn’t have time to eat, huh?
” He rubbed the thick beard covering his face.
“I just got in a few minutes ago and haven’t been up to the office yet to see the boss.
” Oliver’s eyes twinkled with that mischievous glint again.
“Why don’t you two come along with me? Burt would love to see you, and I can show you what we’ve been up to in the mine.
You can get a bird’s-eye view of what’s been keeping your uncle so busy. What do you say?”
Dillon started jumping up and down with excitement. I wasn’t so certain and asked, “Is it safe? Being in a mine sounds dangerous.” I tried to ignore the pout and crossed arms Dillon threw my way.
“I promise on the life of my clan that it’s safe,” Oliver solemnly answered, making an X over his heart.
My lips parted in awe. It was no small thing for a dwarf to make a promise like that. Shifting Sedrick’s basket of food from one hand to the other, I gave Oliver a shallow nod. “That’s more than good enough for me. I’m sorry if I offended you by suggesting otherwise.”
Oliver waved me off. “No worries. You’re a home-and-hearth pixie; it’s in your nature. I’ll take care of the younglings. You go feed Sedrick. That man turns from a wolf into a bear when he’s hungry.” Cackling, Oliver dismissed me and waved Dillon and Ruthie forward.
Together, they walked away. I could barely make out a dark hole cut into the hillside and assumed that was their destination.
My destination seemed clear as well. To my right, a building looked like a smaller version of Sedrick’s rustic home. The sign above the door was small and unassuming. Voss Mining Inc .
Tugging my basket of now lukewarm food to my chest, I inhaled deeply, pulling in the hint of surrounding dust. My wings beat furiously as my anxiety ramped up.
I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake. Sedrick had left early this morning, and I got the distinct impression it wasn’t because he had to be at work early but to avoid me.
Now, I was pushing myself on him, coming into territory I hadn’t been invited into.
Eyes slipping closed, I pulled my courage around me. If things went south, I’d drop Sedrick’s food off and head off to the mine to collect Dillon and Ruthie. It will be fine , I told myself. I had to believe that because I didn’t think I’d be able to live with the alternative.
Barely hovering my toes above the stony path leading up to Sedrick’s office, I flew toward the door. Landing on the porch, I stared at the door, trying to decide whether I should head in or knock. Reaching forward, I grasped the door handle, and with the barest push, it opened.
I walked into a small foyer. An unoccupied desk sat off to the side.
The lack of supplies and equipment around the desk made me think that wasn’t unusual.
I could hear muffled voices coming from the small hall leading toward the back of the building.
I wasn’t sure who the second voice was, but the first I recognized as Sedrick.
Low growls mixed with hollow echoes of Sedrick’s voice made my steps falter as I crept forward.
“That is a very dangerous idea,” the mystery voice said. “If you lose, you’re dead. If you win, you’re the new alpha of the Belview pack. I hardly believe either scenario is what you desire. A challenge should be a last resort.”