nasty. Mr. Gri-malicious was jealous.
Sassy’s spirits soared. If she weren’t engaged . . . If she didn’t feel like death warmed over . . .
“Of course,” Sassy said. “Wes is a perfect gentleman.”
In public and in private, she thought with a sigh. Sex with Wes was perfunctory; polite and restrained.
“Good. Were it otherwise, it would not go well with him.” Grim’s stern expression softened. “Does your head ache?”
“Something awful. And there’s a lizard in my mouth where my tongue used to be.”
He chuckled, a low, rumbly sound. “I know well the feeling. I experienced a similar degree of discomfort this morning.”
“You did? Oh, you mean from the chocolate. Dell told me.”
“Dell should keep certain information to himself. ’Twas not my finest hour.”
“Your secret’s safe with me, cross my heart and hope to die. Was that your first hangover?”
“First and last. Sit up. I would wash your hair.”
“I can do it.”
He placed his finger across her lips. “That was not a request, Sarah Elizabeth. You are ill and in pain. You will let me do this for you.”
He was using his Mr. Bossy Pants tone of voice. And he’d called her by her full name. Grim meant business.
She sat up and tucked the wet rectangle of cloth under her arms. Her fingers brushed metal and she looked down. Grim’s silver chain and medallion hung around her neck. The iridescent disk was crusted with black and purple stones.
“This isn’t mine,” Sassy said. “Why am I wearing your necklace?”
“Your talisman was found on the floor of the mechanized carriage,” Grim said. “The nibilanth—Mose, as you call him—was quite insistent that you wear it. I made you a new one using the stones from the pouch. This chain will not break or come unclasped.”
Sassy traced the rough stones and the shimmering disk with wonder. “It’s beautiful.”
“The circlet is a dragon scale. My brother Gryff saved a town from the beast. This was their gift to him.”
“Your brother fought a dragon?”
“A most evil worm.” Grim’s expression grew distant. “The creature had tormented the people of the town for generations, demanding tribute in flesh and gold. Gryff happened upon a young shepherd whilst pursuing a demon. The lad mourned his sister, the dragon’s latest victim. She was eleven when taken.”
“How horrible.”
“My brother thought so. He turned aside from the hunt, slew the dragon forthwith, and freed the town. The necklace was a gift from the grateful town fathers, forged in the heat of the dying dragon’s heart.”
“I can’t keep this.” Sassy reached for the necklace. “It’s too precious. Gryff—”
“Is dead, killed in battle with the djegrali.” Grim covered her fumbling fingers with his hand. His touch was warm. “The necklace is yours.”
He picked up the bottle and squirted some shampoo into his hands, his handsome features set.
O-k-a-a-y. The subject of Gryff was closed.
Sassy winced as he lathered her hair. Her scalp felt like Michael Flatley had riverdanced on her head.
“How’d I get here?” she asked. “The last thing I remember, we were in the Sweet Shop.”
“There was an incident at the eatery.”
“What sort of incident?”
Meredith appeared on a gust of perfume. “You turned into a purple whatzit with wings and claws. I heard Emo and Fire Crotch talking about it.”
Sassy wiped a trickle of foam off her cheek and stared at the ghost. “Shut up.”
“I kid you not.” Meredith hopped on the counter and crossed her legs. “And that’s not the best part. You scarfed down the entire dessert case and blew your groceries.”
“I what?”
“Horked your guts out. Had a Technicolor yawn.” Meredith opened her arms wide. “You spewed fairy barf all over the Sweet Shop. It was epic. Big Red recorded the whole thing.”
“What?”
“Chillax, boo. It hasn’t gone viral. Apparently, Big Red is some kind of fixer. She and her bitch squad clean things up when Sugar Ass and the rest of the bodacious Dalvahni bros screw the pooch.” Meredith bobbed her high-heeled foot up and down. “Ain’t that right, Sugar Ass?”
Grim shot the ghost a look of dislike. “Go away.”
“Ouch. Sugar Ass is grouchy.”
“Be gone. Now.”
“Fine. Be that way.” Meredith stuck out her bottom lip. “But you know I’m right.”
She vanished.
Sassy searched Grim’s face. “Is it true?”
“Yes. The Kirvahni are adjusters.” Grim rinsed her hair. “Their meticulous nature makes them well suited to the task.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. What happened at the Sweet Shop? Did I really turn into some kind of thing?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Grim shrugged. “You ingested the essence of dozens, perhaps hundreds of fairies. There were bound to be repercussions. When you lost