Demon Hunting with a Dixie Deb - Lexi George Page 0,22
in the entry hall blazed on. How nice, Sassy thought, squinting at the sudden brightness. The interior lights must be sensor programmed as well. She stepped inside and looked around in dismay. The foyer was a grand space with pale marble floors and a sweeping staircase. A wrought-iron chandelier descended from the soaring ceiling like a huge black spider on a silken thread. A large mirror had been taken off the hook and tossed aside. Shards of broken silver glass were scattered across the smooth floor. A burl walnut table lay on its side among the shattered remains of a large vase.
“Someone’s been here,” Sassy said. “That’s why the alarm didn’t go off. We’ve been burglarized.”
A petite blond female appeared on a gust of tangy perfume. She wore a sleeveless black silk dress with a jewel neckline and a green and white floral design on the front. A pair of mustard yellow four-inch Alexander Wang crisscross sandals finished her stylish ensemble.
“We?” The blonde’s blue eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you?”
Oh, bunny rabbits, another ghost, and this one seemed cranky.
With an effort, Sassy summoned a smile. “I’m Sassy. That’s a darling dress you’re wearing—Phillip Lim, isn’t it?—and I adore your shoes. Heels do wonderful things for a girl’s legs, don’t you think?”
“Cut the BFF shit, Army Boots, and haul your raggedy ass out of my house.”
Sassy flushed. “Gracious, there’s no need to be hostile.”
“You think this is hostile, Frizz Bucket? I’m barely getting started. Leave. Now—before I ectoplasm your butt.”
Grim drew his sword. “Threaten her again, shade, and you will regret it.”
The ghost clasped her hands to her chest and batted her eyelashes. “Ooh, somebody save me from the feh-wochuss demon hunter with the gwate big sword.” She dropped the pretense with a scowl. “Give me a break, asshole. I kicked a pack of Skinners to the curb. You don’t scare me.”
Junior appeared without warning. “Oh, good, I see you found the place.”
The Dalmatian on the porch barked at them through the open door.
“What’s that, son? They haven’t been formally introduced? Dear me, where are our manners?” A sly smile tugged at Junior’s lips. “Meredith, this is Sassy. Sassy Peterson, my daughter and Trey’s sister.”
The stylishly clad ghost put her fingers to her temples and closed her eyes, her expression one of utmost concentration.
“Trying to care,” she said. “Trying to . . .” She dropped her hands and glared at them. “Nope, don’t give a shit. Out of my house. And take that stupid dog with you.”
Junior’s smile widened. “It’s not your house anymore, Meredith. Trey left everything to Sassy.”
“What?” Meredith’s face contorted into a ghoulish mask. She leveled an accusatory glare at the Dalmatian. “This is your fault, you mangy mongrel. First your psychotic grandmother murders me. Then you screw around with demons and get yourself killed—which was fine by me, because I thought we could finally be together again, except you decide you’d rather go through eternity as a dog—and now this. I hate you, Trey Peterson. I really, really hate you.”
The Dalmatian tucked his tail and ran. Shrieking like an air raid siren, the ghost flew after him.
“By the gods, that is a disagreeable creature.” Grim sheathed his sword. “Is it a banshee?”
“She was Trey’s wife,” Sassy said, shrugging at Junior’s questioning look. “We got the wedding announcement and I saw the pictures in the Hannah Herald.”
Junior’s brows rose. “You read the Herald?”
Sassy’s cheeks heated. “It’s a free country. Who are the Skinners?”
“Local bottom feeders,” Junior said. “Why?”
“Meredith mentioned them.” Sassy kicked a piece of broken glass. It skittered across the floor. “I think they did this.”
“I wouldn’t be a’tall surprised,” Junior said. “The Skinners ran moonshine until the head of the clan got himself murdered a few months ago. With Charlie dead and Verbena gone, things went from bad to worse for the rest of the family.”
“Who’s Verbena?” Sassy asked.
“The one Skinner with any talent. She’s an enhancer—magnifies the talents of others—although the family had no idea. Morons thought she was worthless. Tried to sacrifice her to a bunch of demons.” Junior chuckled. “Verbena hightailed it, and left them high and dry. The Skinners can barely manage a decent shift without her.”
Demons and shifters, and enhancers? Sassy’s brain was starting to spin again. “I can’t listen to any more of this. My brain will explode. I’m going to take a bath.”
“That’s right,” Junior said. “I keep forgetting this is new to you. Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”