she thought, and drifted back to sleep.
An interesting idiom, though I prefer “never bite off more than you can chew.” I find human phraseology fascinating. “Hesitate before you break off a greater amount than you can masticate” means the same thing, but it lacks flavor, does it not?
The detached voice in her head startled Sassy and sent her spiraling toward consciousness.
“What is this female to you, Grim? Your interest in her is evident,” she heard someone say.
Conall; that voice, cold and treacherous as black ice, belonged to Captain Scary.
“I am sworn to protect her.”
Conall chuckled. The unexpected sound startled Sassy. Tall, Dark, and Deadly had a sense of humor?
“That is how these things usually start,” Conall said.
“What things?”
Grim’s words were slurred.
“No matter,” Conall said. “We will discuss it when you are sober. Be on your guard with Evan. He consorts with demons.” The deep freeze crept back into his voice. “And he tried to hurt Rebekah.”
“Rebekah?”
“My wife.”
“It is true then? You married one of them?”
“Oh, yes.”
There was a wealth of pride and satisfaction in the two words, and Sassy felt a twinge of envy. Whoever Rebekah was, she was one lucky gal.
“What quarrel has Evan with your wife?”
“He is Rebekah’s twin. He arrived in Hannah in the company of two djegrali. They plotted to enlist the kith in a war for earth.”
“Kith?”
“A term used by demonoids to refer to their kind,” Conall said. “The kith vary in talent and strength, depending on how much demon blood courses through their veins. They make powerful enemies . . . or valuable allies. Evan wanted Rebekah at his side in the coming battle. When she refused to cooperate, Evan tried to kill her. That I cannot forgive.”
Sassy’s insides did a queasy somersault. Evan tried to kill his sister? There must be some mistake. Evan was a little rough around the edges, but he wouldn’t do that.
Pay them no heed, Sassy Peterson. The dry voice inside Sassy’s head distracted her from Grim and Conall’s conversation. I would converse with you.
There was a light touch on Sassy’s mind, and she dropped back to sleep.
Much better, the calm voice said.
Are you the Provider? Sassy floated in a comfortable drowse.
Yes.
Why can I hear you? I’m not Dalvahni.
I suspect your fae infusion may be at the heart of it. Grim also imparted some measure of his essence to you when he repaired your broken limb. It is for this reason the Directive discourages the Dal from healing mortals, lest they be altered. Tampering with the order of things is seldom wise.
I’m fay-vahni? Oh, spiffy.
A witty term for it, though imprecise, as it does not account for your demon blood.
I’m not a demon.
No, you are demonoid, which is altogether different. The djegrali—or demons, as you would call them—are amorphous beings. They crave physical sensation. To satisfy their carnal appetites, they prey upon humans and other temporal creatures. Their victims are possessed, their bodies spent. Then the demon moves on to the next.
How horrible.
Indeed. A demonoid is the offspring of a demon-possessed human. Your father was a demonoid. I believe your demon blood is the source of your effervescent effect on others. It is your “gift,” as it were.
Nice never hurt nobody.
False, Sassy Peterson. I have examined your memories. It takes every ounce of your considerable energy to cheer others, especially your female parental unit. You have devoted your life to lightening her despondency.
You’ve been poking around in my head? Sassy was indignant. That’s wrong. A person’s thoughts should be their own.
Why? I frequently read Grim’s thoughts. He does not seem to mind.
That’s his little red wagon.
An amusing image, but I sense you are offended. I did not mean to overstep. I find your thought processes fascinating. Vastly different from Grim’s.
That I can believe.
Do not judge him too harshly. He has been much alone.
Maybe if he tried being a little more pleasant, he’d have more friends.
Grim’s solitude is self-imposed. It has spanned centuries.
Centuries? That’s impossible.
How old are you, Sassy Peterson?
Twenty-five.
And in your twenty-five years, you have seen enough of the universe to say with authority what is and what is not?
Sassy thought about her day and the deep-fried vat of weirdity she’d taken a dip in.
No, I’m starting to think I don’t know anything.
The beginning of wisdom, the Provider said.
Why does Grim keep to himself?
He blames himself for his brother Gryffin’s death. They were twins, you see, created by Kehvahn, the god of the Dalvahni, from the same spark of life essence. The Dalvahni hold one another in esteem, but