had Personality Plus. In high school, she’d had been named Most Popular, Most Outgoing, Friendliest, Best Blonde, Best Smile, and Class Cockeyed Optimist three years in a row.
In college, she’d been named sweetheart by every fraternity at Spring Hill. And she’d been voted Most Likely to Have a Disney Princess Named after Her.
Sassy wasn’t one to back away from a challenge or waste her time on negativity. It was a lovely day. The grass was cool and damp beneath her toes. The morning air was fragrant with the earthy incense of forest and water. The sun scattered diamonds of light across the water and the dewy lawn.
Most importantly, Sassy had been kissed by a handsome prince. She glanced at Grim. The prince in question was eyeing Taryn with the enthusiasm of a patient about to undergo major surgery. Without anesthesia. From the austere expression on Taryn’s face, the huntress returned the sentiment in spades.
Up to Sassy to negotiate a truce.
She flashed Taryn a friendly smile. “I’m so glad you’re here. I adore meeting new people. This morning, I made friends with a giant catfish.”
Taryn arched a brow at Grim. “Consorting with a human, Dalvahni, and a simple one at that?”
“Watch it, Burning Bush.” Meredith bristled. “Nobody calls my BFF a ’tard.”
Meredith still thought they were besties. Sassy couldn’t decide whether to be relieved or alarmed.
“Meredith,” Sassy said in a reproachful voice. “That’s not very nice.”
“Neither is she.” The ghost glared at Taryn. “And for your information, Agent Orange, the giant catfish is real. The witch supersized him.”
Grim uncrossed his arms. “How do you know this?”
“Trey. That stupid dog has the homing instinct of a brussels sprout.” Meredith tossed her blond bob. “I went looking for him and saw the witch feeding the big guppy.”
Sassy swung on Grim in triumph. “There, I told you it wasn’t Evan’s fault. She put something in his food. That’s why he monstered out.”
“What kind of monster is this Evan?” Taryn’s expression suddenly got very intense. “Is he djegrali?”
“Sorta.” Sassy made a face. “Kinda . . . not exactly.” She gave Grim a conspiratorial look. “You want to tell her about the you-know-whats, or shall I?”
“Neither.” Grim’s expression was stubborn. “My boots are wet. I am disinclined to regurgitate the tale at the moment.”
“You’re right, of course.” Sassy gave Taryn a coaxing smile. “Come up to the house. I’ll tell you about it.”
“Sassy,” Grim cautioned in a low voice. “She is Kir. I do not think—”
“Don’t be silly, Grim. We have plenty of room. Taryn’s welcome to stay.”
“I thank you for the offer.” Taryn inclined her head a few degrees. “But I am accustomed to sleeping out of doors.”
“Low maintenance, huh?” Sassy shook her head in wonder. “That’s so not me. What about breakfast? I assume the Kirvahni eat?”
“Nettles and snake venom.” Grim raised a brow at the huntress. “Thus their pleasing disposition.”
Taryn gave him a chilly stare. “We do not—”
“Sometimes, Grim can be such a tease.” Sassy patted Taryn on the arm and encountered solid muscle. “My goodness, you’re in great shape. What’s your secret? Ballet? Yoga? Kickboxing?”
Taryn looked taken aback. “I-I do not know—”
“Like I said, we have plenty of room. The place has been empty since my brother died. There’s not much in the pantry, but I’m sure we can find something to eat.”
“I cannot tarry. I have urgent business.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, let her go,” Meredith said. “She’s a royal pain in the ass.”
Grim made a strangled sound.
Taryn gave the ghost a look that was positively lethal. File Taryn under not to be trifled with.
Turning on her heel, Taryn strode across the lawn. She moved with the light, silent tread of a cat. Her soft leather boots left no imprint on the wet grass.
Sassy hurried after her. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” Taryn said without breaking stride.
“Move that way. You float.”
No answer.
The Princess of Perk was not easily deterred.
Sassy skipped after the huntress. “I climbed my first tree this morning. It was wonderful.”
“Felicitations.”
“It wasn’t easy. I’m vertically challenged.”
“I had not noticed.”
Sheesh, Taryn was a tough nut to crack. Sassy opened her mouth to try again, but was interrupted by a startled shout.
Shirtless and barefoot, Evan stood on the side lawn. His head was back and he was looking at something on the pitched roof.
“What’s the big idea, Big ’Un?” Evan said. “When I said ‘boost a ride,’ I didn’t mean Chitty Chitty freaking Bang Bang.”
Sassy screeched to a halt in the damp grass.
Grim strode up. “Is something amiss?”
Wordlessly, Sassy pointed. Daddy