time since Gryff’s death, Grim was tempted to join the bird in flight. The heavy weight of guilt that had kept him earthbound lo these many years was gone. Sassy had freed him from his prison of sorrow and self-reproach. She had turned him from the path of vengeance. Given him a reason to live.
And, oh, what a reason. She filled him up, contented and soothed him, lightened the dark places in his soul. At the same time, she roused his passions like no other, stirred his protective instincts, and kept him on the edge of lust and laughter.
“What news of the witch?” he asked.
Whitsun removed his sunglasses and tucked them into the pocket of his shirt. His gray gaze was sharp. This man missed very little. Ebon of hair like Conall, the sheriff wore his hair clipped short. His body was lean and fit, Grim noted with approval. Whitsun was a warrior, with a quiet air of assurance and authority that Grim liked.
Determined. Purposeful. Ruthlessly dangerous.
Whitsun would be a good man in a fight.
“Drove out to her place and she was gone,” Whitsun said. “Place was in shambles. No shed. No greenhouses. House was falling down and the plants and shrubs were dried up. Whole place is a dead zone. I poked around a bit. Didn’t find anything. From the looks of it, no one’s lived there in years.”
Grim raised his brows at Evan.
The demonoid shrugged. “That so? Guess the old biddy’s cut and run. Thanks for checking it out anyway.”
“Oh, I’m not done.” Whitsun’s voice was lethally soft. “I was on the river two weeks ago. Went by Ora Mae’s place and it was fine. House in good repair. Everything well maintained. Real showplace. A house doesn’t fall to pieces overnight.”
He tapped his nose. “Something’s not right and I mean to find out what. Put a BOLO on Miz Luker. Got a few questions for her. If she killed Charlie Skinner, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
The box squawked at Whitsun’s hip.
He answered it. “Yeah? On my way.”
He pushed a button and stuck the device back on his belt.
“Gotta go. Domestic out on County Road 29.” Whitsun paused. “One more thing. I did some checking on Ora Mae. Near as I can tell, she showed up in Hannah fifty years ago. No record of her before that. No family. No financial history. Zip. It’s like she didn’t exist before 1965. Thought that was interesting.”
He climbed into his automobile and wheeled away.
Evan watched Whitsun leave with a thoughtful expression. “There’s something about that sheriff. If I didn’t know better, I’d say . . .” He shook his head. “Nah. Can’t be. Eyes aren’t right.” He shrugged and stuck his hand out to Grim. “Congratulations on getting hitched. I hope you and the Lollipop will be happy.”
Grim regarded the demonoid with no little wariness. Evan was invariably cocky. However, there was an air of smug complacency and satisfaction about him now that sounded alarm bells in Grim’s head.
“Thank you.” Grim shook Evan’s hand. “I did not expect your felicitations.”
Evan slapped Grim on the back. “Nah, couldn’t be happier. Lolly’s a sweetheart. One of a kind. I meant to give you a run for your money, but it’s obvious you two are eat up in love.” He grinned. “Jason Beck’s baby boy ain’t stupid. I know when I been friendzoned.” He thumped Grim again. “Take care of her, you hear? You don’t treat her right, and the Evinator will be on you like white on rice.”
It took Grim a moment to decipher Evan’s comments. The demonoid was actually threatening him.
Grim managed not to smile. “Warning duly noted. I am mindful of my good fortune in winning Sassy’s hand. I assure you she will be loved, cherished, and protected.”
To the limits of his considerable abilities and beyond, if need be. Sassy was his everything.
“Long as we’re clear,” Evan said. “Gotta say, I don’t envy you Mrs. Got Rocks for a monster-in-law. She’s a nightmare. So, where are you and the Sassafras going on your honeymoon?”
Grim struggled to follow Evan’s conversation. He supposed that Mrs. Got Rocks referred to Sassy’s mother. The last bit was harder to decipher.
Dell? Grim sent his thoughts outward. What is a honeymoon?
There was no answer. Strange. Now that Grim thought on it, Dell had been absent for days. In fact, they had not conversed since before the Binding.
“I do not know this term,” Grim said. “What is a honeymoon?”
The corners of Evan’s mouth lifted. “It’s a holiday