good grumble.” Sassy patted the steering wheel. “Hop in. We’re headed to the mill.”
“I’m gonna pass.” Evan’s gaze lingered on the entrance to the Greater Fair. “Think I’ll poke around town a bit. See what I can dig up on Ora Mae. Is she kith or isn’t she. Maybe figure out where she’s hiding.”
Taryn frowned. “Grim told you to accompany us. He was clear on the matter.”
“Grim ain’t the boss of me.” He gave the huntress a sly look. “Unless you’re scared you can’t handle it.”
“Handle what?”
“Whatever. Always something when the Sassinator’s involved.”
“Hey.”
“Sorry, babe. But you’re a shit magnet.”
“Stay here, then,” Sassy said with a huff of indignation. “And good luck with the witch. Not.”
Evan grinned and raised his hand in farewell. Sassy put the car in reverse and eased out of the parking place, putt-putting down Main Street and over the bridge. Several miles later, she turned off the main highway and onto a lonely road that paralleled the river. A pickup truck passed them going the opposite direction, but there was no other traffic, just trees, trees, and more trees. Beeches, birches, oaks, maples, hickories, and pines crowded the edges of the road. Birds twittered in the bushes. Once, they stopped to let a box turtle heave itself across the road.
For the umpteenth time that morning, Sassy wondered where Grim had gone. He’d disappeared after breakfast. There’d been some kind of meeting with Conall—Evan had let it slip over toast and eggs—but more he would not say. Neither would Grim. Looking sterner than usual, the big warrior had shaken his head and stalked off. Hadn’t been seen or heard from since.
It was enough to make a girl grumpy. She’d been counting on Grim to be with her at the mill. Her first day and he’d gone off the grid. What if he didn’t come back? The thought made her tummy feel hollow and squishy at the same time.
Sassy peeked at the huntress. “Where’d you say Grim went?”
“I did not, but if you must know, he went to look for something.”
“The witch?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“That information is not mine to divulge.”
“Is he coming back?”
“Of a certainty.”
The empty feeling inside Sassy lessened. Then something occurred to her, something awful.
“Grim’s not in danger, is he?”
“Danger is a demon hunter’s destiny. Grim is a warrior well-seasoned.”
Bunny rabbits, that sounded as though Grim was going into battle. The hollow feeling was replaced by panic. Sassy clutched the steering wheel. Grim could get hurt or even . . . even . . .
No. She would not go there. Negative thoughts attracted negativity. She would be positive. The alternative was too terrifying.
“Sassy, are you well?” Taryn asked. “Your hair is many hued.”
Sassy took a quick peek in the rearview mirror. Her hair resembled paint chip art. Startled, she swerved across the road and almost landed in the ditch.
“Mother-of-pearl.” She guided the car back between the lines. “I can’t show up at the mill like this. No one will take me seriously.”
“Calm yourself,” Taryn said. “Halt the carriage beneath yon reaching elm to regain your composure.”
Sassy parked beneath the tree. She turned off the engine and sat, letting the green quiet of the woods sooth her. Grim would be all right. He had to be. Anything less was unacceptable. Taryn was right. She needed to stay calm. Flying off the handle and imagining the worst was neither perky nor productive. But, boy, the next time she saw Grim Dalvahni, she was going to put a bug in his ear.
A sudden thought made Sassy bolt upright. “Is Grim with one of those awful females, the ones the Dalvahni have sex with?”
Taryn gave her a curious look. “You wish to know if Grim is with a thrall?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Why?”
“I just do, okay?”
“He is not.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Oh. That’s a relief.”
“To the contrary, emotional and physical release is the sole purpose of the thralls. Judging from his short temper and ill humor, I believe Grim would benefit from their services.”
“Taryn.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Taryn shook her head. “I do not understand you.”
“I know what you mean. I confuse me, too.”
Sassy leaned back to admire the tree over their heads. The elm was quite old, thick of trunk with a wide brim of spreading branches that reminded her of an outrageous derby hat.
Humm, the elm said, dozing in the sunshine.
The sound was comforting. On impulse, Sassy kicked off her shoes and scampered up the tree. To Sassy’s delight, Taryn joined her, climbing the tree with the easy grace of a tree nymph or an