through the green tunnel of trees lining the road. The woods in this region were much to Grim’s liking. Lush growth teemed with wildlife. His peculiar ability told him the thick timber concealed a wealth of creatures: rabbits; a pack of jackal-like canids with long, slender legs, pointy ears, and narrow muzzles; numerous species of birds and rodents; an abundance of deer; and several colonies of leather-winged bats. Reptiles slithered through the vegetation. Feral swine nosed their way through dense underbrush.
Near the river, a lone bear rooted through a patch of plants, grunting in pleasure at the taste of the tender shoots. Beavers and otters played in the shallows. A tawny cougar watched with hungry intent as a fawn strayed from its mother.
Always before, the forest had called to Grim, a dusky siren welcoming him with cool green arms, a refuge where he lost his consuming guilt and sorrow for a brief time by merging with animals. The lion and the wolf knew not the ache of remorse, nor did the eagle forsake the pleasure of riding the wind.
Gryff was dead. The familiar sting of self-reproach was tempered by thoughts of Sassy. What a relief to have something to dwell upon other than regret and revenge.
High time. The Provider’s voice intruded upon Grim’s thoughts. Twelve hundred years is a long time to mope.
I do not mope. I seek vengeance upon mine enemy.
And when you are not hunting, you mope. Your mood has markedly improved since your arrival in Hannah.
There has been much to occupy my mind.
More than your mind, the Provider said. I saw you and Sassy in the river.
The river . . . Sassy in his arms, her delectable body pressed close to him, his senses spinning with the taste, scent, and feel of her.
Kissing seems an awkward business. The Provider picked up Grim’s thoughts. Yet you went about it with apparent enthusiasm. Is it truly enjoyable?
It depends upon whom you are kissing.
Did you enjoy kissing Sassy?
More than Grim wanted to admit. The wench enthralled him. He could not stop thinking about that kiss. It was becoming something of an obsession with him, but he had no intention of discussing it with the Provider or anyone else.
Except, perhaps, Sassy; Grim would like to discuss that kiss with Sassy very much.
Better yet, he would like to repeat the experience.
But Sassy was leaving this afternoon. He would never see her again. A pall of gloom settled over Grim. Sassy had brightened his world beyond measure. She was a breath of spring in his eternal winter. Ye gods, he would miss her.
Grimford? Did you take delight in pressing the fleshy folds of your mouth against Sassy’s?
Leave it to the Provider to describe what had been a heady, heated experience in such sterile terms.
Grimford? Hello?
The Provider would not relent until satisfied. Time to take the offensive.
Sassy informs me that you wish to be called Dell.
There was a startled silence.
Yes, with your approval.
I approve. Dell is an excellent appellation. Short. Strong. A name worthy of a Dalvahni warrior.
A warrior’s name . . . really? For a being without physical substance, the Provider sounded breathless. I am pleased. I feared you would think me presumptuous.
No such thing. I am chagrined I did not think of it myself. Remembering Sassy’s comment, Grim added, Provider is a trifle cold and impersonal.
I have always thought so. I never expected you to agree. Thank you.
Think nothing of it. The vehicle passed a sign declaring they had entered the city limits. Fare thee well, Dell.
Fare thee well, Grim.
Grim congratulated himself as he disconnected. He had distracted the Provider, no easy thing. He looked forward to sharing the exchange with Sassy over lunch. He imagined her delight and the sparkle of pleasure in her lovely blue eyes when he told her about their conversation.
His lips curved in a smile. She would be pleased, and that made him happy.
An odd sensation, happiness. A Dalvahni warrior took gratification from performing his duty. From worlds protected and mortals saved from the ravages of the djegrali. Other emotions Grim knew: the emptying release of sexual desire in the House of Thralls—though, admittedly, not as often as the Directive instructed—the consuming heat of battle rage, and the thirst for revenge.
In two brief days, Sassy had expanded Grim’s emotional spectrum. He had experienced terror, jealousy, desire, and protectiveness. This quiet, warm feeling, however, was unexpected and pleasurable.
Soon, Sassy would leave. He would return to the hunt and his solitary existence. That was as it should be, but