by Nina Bangs
Cinn was shocked. “You mean you’re still going to read my mind?”
Asima blinked. “Of course. How else will I find out what I want to know?“
“Heard this before.” Cinn knew that talking to herself didn’t bode well for her mental health, but Asima had that effect on her.
Dacian stepped into the breach as Cinn tried to think of a way to reason with a being that didn’t think in a human way. A good thing, too, because she was almost at the point of abandoning reason and resorting to throwing things.
“Someone stole a plant from Cinn’s room. The plant is very important to her. We’re trying to find him while there’s still a chance that he’s alive.”
Asima looked fascinated. “You called the plant a he. Why?“
Cinn decided now wasn’t the time to keep secrets. If there was a chance Asima could help in the hunt, she had to know what was at stake. “I enhance plants, Asima. I make them more than they otherwise would be. Vince is sentient. He feels emotions, and—” she glanced at Dacian—“can evidently talk. He’s alive. And I don’t want him to die cold and alone.” Oh, boy. She blinked madly. Not going to cry, not going to cry. A tear slipped down her cheek. Damn.
Asima’s eyes grew wide. “Alive? Like you and me?“ She sounded horrified.
Dacian took up the explanation, giving Cinn a chance to pull her emotions together. Maybe that would count on the plus side when she finally added up all the minuses he’d racked up tonight.
“I’d say he’s at the child stage. He feels emotions and reacts to them, and he’s gaining a basic vocabulary. But yeah, he’s aware like you and me.”
“Oh.“ Asima seemed more shocked than the explanation seemed to warrant. “I…“
Cinn would never know what Asima would have said because Sparkle and Ganymede joined them. Ganymede had cookie crumbs in his whiskers, and he didn’t look too thrilled to be part of the search party. He must’ve seen her staring at the crumbs.
“Searching for this plant is tough work. I have to keep my strength up. Besides, Sparkle baked cookies today. The real thing. No packaged crap. Maybe this depth and character thing isn’t so bad after all.“
From Sparkle’s expression, Cinn hoped Ganymede wasn’t counting on another batch of cookies any time soon. And Sparkle was wearing what must be her version of roughing-it clothes: designer jeans with rhine-stones, clingy top that shouted expensive, a short leather jacket, and boots that Sparkle would never find in a discount store.
Sparkle wasn’t smiling. “I ruined three nails on those cookies. Not that I notice my nails anymore,” she hurried to assure everyone. “But the store stuff is just as good. Open the package, put the precut cookies on the pan, bake for ten minutes. Works for me.”
And before Cinn could even think about saying anything, Sparkle turned on her. “Yes, these are my old clothes. I couldn’t go searching for your plant naked, could I?”
Ganymede perked right up. “Wouldn’t bother me, cuddle-bunny.“
Sparkle ignored him. “Edge and Bain are on their way. Everyone will help search until it’s time for the fantasies to start. Then they’ll have to take care of our customers.”
Fair enough. Cinn appreciated any help she could get.
“I’ll help, too.“ Asima’s words said one thing, but her tone said she wasn’t too excited about the whole thing.
Cinn wouldn’t blame her if she backed out of the search party. Since Dacian and she had looked into everything in the castle that would qualify as cold and a box, the next step was to search outside. Cinn didn’t figure Asima for a cold-weather cat.
Once Edge, Bain, and even Holgarth showed up, Dacian filled them in on Vince’s three last words. Even with all her worry, Cinn got some satisfaction from their shocked expressions. A plant could communicate. Let Holgarth call that unimportant.
They worked out a search plan and then separated. Dacian and Cinn stayed together and Asima tagged along with them.
After searching all the garbage bins on the park grounds and not hearing any encouraging words from the rest of the searchers, Cinn was almost ready to give up. If they didn’t find him soon it might be too late because the trash collectors would empty the bins in the morning and cart everything to the dump. And if she were honest, she’d have to admit that most likely he was already gone. Dacian hadn’t heard his voice again, and she hadn’t felt him brushing against her mind.
Asima had remained strangely silent. Not that Cinn didn’t appreciate the quiet, but it gave her too much time to think. About Vince, about Dacian, and about how her life seemed to be spiraling out of control. She was in the middle of wondering how she’d react if Dacian reverted to his vampire nature—whatever that was—when Asima finally spoke.
“What will happen to your plant if he’s out in the cold?“
“He’ll die.” Not exactly true. Vince could survive the cold, but if a lie would energize the search, then she’d lie her butt off.
Asima was silent for a little longer. “Umm, maybe we should check some of the trash cans outside the park.“
Distracted, Cinn didn’t pay much attention to her answer. “Where would we start? I bet there are a hundred trash cans outside the park walls. Besides, if someone was going to throw Vince in the trash, why not just heave him in one closer to the castle?”
“Because this person knew that no one would bother checking outside the park?“
Something in Asima’s voice caught Cinn’s attention. Squatting down, she peered into the cat’s eyes. “Do you know something, Asima?”
Asima’s gaze slid away from Cinn’s. “Maybe.“
Out of the corner of her eye, Cinn saw Dacian getting ready to yell at Asima. She held up her hand to stop him. Asima was a powerful being, and Cinn didn’t think she could be bullied.
“Anything you know, you need to tell me now while we can still save him.” Okay, she’d pull out all the stops. “He’s just a baby, out in the cold, frightened and alone.”
Emotion glistened in Asima’s eyes. “I’m not crying. Messengers of Bast are cold, analytical, and never ever cry.“
“I understand how strong you are, but are you strong enough to tell us the truth?” She held her breath. Everything depended on Asima now.
“Well, there might be a trash can across the street from the park. On the seawall. Next to a bench. And that trash can might have a plant in it.“ She blinked rapidly.
Cinn was already up and running. As she glanced at Dacian, she could tell from his expression that he was passing the info on to the other searchers. Asima kept ahead of them, covering the ground in long leaps. Lucky for Asima, there wasn’t much late-night traffic on Seawall Boulevard or else she’d have used up at least eight of her nine lives.
Everyone converged on the trash can together. No one moved as Cinn reached into the can … and closed her fingers around Vince’s pot. When she pulled the pot from the can, everyone cheered. Vince looked limp, definitely not in good shape, but at least no one had yanked him out of the pot. He could be saved. She gently rolled up his vine and tucked his pot under her coat.
She didn’t stop to question Asima as she ran back to the greenhouse. Dacian stayed with her. Asima and the others didn’t follow.
Panting, she stopped at the greenhouse door, and when Wade swung it open she hurried inside.
“Well, hello, beautiful lady. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re as lovely as a rainbow trout?”
“Not now, Wade. I have to save Vince.” Somewhere in the back of her mind she made note of Wade’s strange compliment, but then pushed it aside.
Dacian remained silent as she worked over Vince. Finally, she straightened. “He’ll survive. I’m leaving him here because of the controlled temperature and humidity. I’ll guard the greenhouse tonight.” And God help the person who tried to stop her.
“At least come back into the castle long enough to grab something to eat. Besides, everyone’s meeting so Asima can tell her story. You’ll want to be there.” Dacian lo
oked anxious to be gone.
Cinn stared at Wade. He stared back at her with adoration shining in his demon’s eyes. She sucked in her breath. That was right, Wade was a demon. And he’d seemed so normal. If he could be nonhuman, then anyone could. But at least he’d have the power to defend her greenhouse.
“Fine.” She looked at Wade. “I appreciate you giving up so much of your time today. I owe you.”
“No problem, ma’am. You know, I’d trade my favorite Shimano CTE 200 DC reel with the computer chip in it for a night out with you.”
Oh, boy. Cinn glanced at Dacian. Dacian didn’t look amused. Well, she thought Wade was sweet. Strange, but sweet.
Once inside, Dacian and Cinn followed Sparkle into the meeting room attached to the restaurant. Asima perched on her own chair. She looked elegant and unflustered.
Ganymede didn’t bother with a chair. He’d plunked his ample bottom on the table next to Sparkle’s chair. Holgarth sat at the head of the table, probably his self-appointed spot. He was that kind of guy.
“Now that everyone is here.” His glance at Cinn and Dacian suggested that they’d kept everyone waiting for hours. “We’ll begin the investigation into how the plant, Vince, ended up in the trash can.”
Asima turned calm eyes on Holgarth. “You are such a blowhard, wizard. There doesn’t have to be an investigation. I threw the plant into the trash can.“
Humans might have gasped. Nonhumans just stared. Well, Cinn was a human, and she gasped loud enough to cause everyone to glance her way.
“I materialized in Cinn’s room while she was sleeping. Bain was asleep on her couch. He sleeps very soundly for a demon.“
“You slept on my couch without my permission?” Cinn couldn’t keep the horror out of her voice. A demon had slept with her.
Everyone stared at Bain. He shrugged. “I don’t do floors.”
As one, everyone’s gaze swung back to Asima.
“I took the plant. I was supposed to destroy it, but I felt bad about that. It’s such a pretty plant. So instead of throwing it into the Gulf, I threw it in the trash can. I thought someone might pass by and find it.“
“And why did you do this dastardly deed?” Holgarth was at his pretentious best.
“The goddess Airmid told me to.”
Chapter Seven
Silence filled the room. Even Cinn didn’t gasp this time. Dacian figured she’d used up all her air on her first gasp. He knew Holgarth was supposed to be asking the questions, but he couldn’t wait for the wizard to spit the next one out. “Why would you do what Airmid told you to do?”
Holgarth’s gaze was cold enough to freeze Dacian’s eyeballs. “I believe that I’m in charge of asking questions, vampire.”
Dacian wasn’t intimidated. “Yeah, well, then ask them faster.”
Holgarth turned to Asima. “Exactly why would you do what Airmid told you to do?”
Asima settled in. She looked like she was primed for a long explanation. “I work for Bast, greatest of all goddesses, protector of cats everywhere, queen of—”
“Yes, yes, we know. Get on with it.” Holgarth tapped his finger impatiently on the table.
Asima speared him with an enigmatic cat stare that could mean anything from, “I think you’re an amazing person,” to “You’re a wizened old fart.”
Dacian suspected the latter.
“Bast and Airmid have been best friends for thousands of years. So when Airmid needed someone to help her achieve her goals, she contacted Bast.” Asima offered a cat shrug. “And Bast ordered me to help Airmid. I must obey my goddess.”
Holgarth leaned forward. “Why did Airmid want to destroy the plant?”
Asima looked as though she thought the answer must be obvious. “Because he’s an abomination.”
“He absolutely is not. He’s timid and shy and—”
“Be quiet, woman.” Holgarth was at his most bombastic.
“Oh, stuff it, Holgarth.” Cinn half rose from her chair.
Dacian was proud of her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cared enough about anyone other than his brother to feel pride in them.
Asima turned her gaze on Cinn. “I apologize for what I did to Vince, but you must understand that I couldn’t defy my goddess.”
“Yet, in the end, you did.” Cinn seemed to find that an incredible act.
Asima sighed. “Bast will be displeased with me.”
Holgarth made an attempt to wrest control of the meeting back into his own hands. “What else did Airmid want you to do?”
“She wanted me to destroy all the plants in the greenhouse and then take care of the plants that were already in guests’ rooms.”
“The bitch.”
If expressions were anything to go by, everyone shared the opinion Cinn had voiced.
Asima brightened. “Of course, I can’t do that now that you have a demon guarding the greenhouse. Airmid wants me to be discreet and not call attention to myself.”
“Like that’s ever going to happen.” Ganymede made his first contribution to the discussion. “Did you bring the bag of jellybeans with you, babe?” He glanced hopefully at Sparkle.
Sparkle pulled a bag of candy from her purse and put it on the table. Ganymede dove in. Didn’t look like he’d be contributing anything else tonight.
Asima was evidently used to Ganymede’s insults, because she rattled on. “And I obviously won’t be able to reach the plants in the guests’ rooms if you move them all into the greenhouse, too. You should do that right away before I finish taking the nap I intend to take as soon as I get back to my room.”
“And you assume you’ll have a room to go back to?” Sparkle sounded gleeful at the prospect of kicking Asima’s furry butt out the door.
“Of course. I’m your only connection to Airmid.”
Dacian was tired of all this back-and-forth. Edge and Bain were starting to look restless, too. “Where is Airmid now?”
“In the castle somewhere.”
Well, hell. Dacian glanced at Cinn. Her hands were clenched into fists in her lap.
“So let’s go find the bitch.” Edge had the right idea. “What’s she look like?”
“I don’t know.” Asima looked bored. “She communicated mentally with me.” And then before anyone could ask another question, she disappeared.
“I hate when she does that.” Holgarth looked ticked.
It must have been tough losing his star witness right in the middle of the interrogation. Dacian pushed back his chair and stood. Cinn did the same.
“We have to get all the plants out of the guests’ rooms.” Cinn’s voice didn’t quiver, but the strain had to be working on her.
“Asima didn’t say what Airmid had planned for Cinn.” And right now Cinn was more important to Dacian than a hundred of her plants. “I’ll be with her at night, but from dawn till sunset there always has to be someone watching her.” He cast Bain a pointed stare. “Someone who doesn’t sleep on the job.”
Bain glared before looking away.
“I’ll be with her in the afternoon.” Sparkle didn’t sound happy about that. “Tomorrow I have to buy new outfits. Ordinary. Serviceable. Cheap.” She said each word as though it burned her tongue. “I’ll need support.” She glanced at Cinn. “Would you go with me to the…” She closed her eyes, girding herself to say the words. “…big-box store?”
“What store did you have in mind?” There wasn’t a lot of interest in Cinn’s voice.
Sparkle shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in one.”
Oh, crap. Cinn was going to have a hell of a day with the queen of sex and sin. Well, Dacian might not be able to help her with Sparkle, but he could sure make the rest of the night more comfortable. “I think Cinn needs some rest now.”
“I haven’t adjourned the meeting yet.” It seemed as if that really bothered Holgarth.
“Too bad.” Dacian guided Cinn out of the room.
She said nothing until they walked into her room and he
closed the door behind them. “Thanks for getting me out of there.” Cinn glanced around and then froze.
He followed her gaze. On top of her pillow lay a sprig of some plant. “What is it?”
“Lavender. From Airmid. Who else would put it there?” Her expression turned bitter. “Just a friendly reminder that she can go anywhere she wants and there’s nowhere I can hide.”
Fury rose in him. He felt his fangs pushing against his lip and knew if she glanced at him now she’d see the black eyes he’d shown her in the dungeon. With a huge effort, he pushed back against his need for violence. “You don’t have to hide. I’m here with you. And there are enough nonhumans in this castle to give even Airmid a fight. She’s on our turf now.”
Cinn turned weary eyes toward him. “Thanks for the support. Appreciate it.” She looked around as though she didn’t know where to start. “I’m just going to grab a few things. I’m sleeping in the greenhouse tonight.”
He didn’t try to argue with her. He figured it would be useless anyway. “Ganymede will already be collecting plants from the guests’ rooms. He’ll be able to do it without disturbing anyone. I’ll have a cot brought down to the greenhouse while you’re gathering your stuff together.”
Pulling out his cell, he ordered the cot along with pillows and bedding while she pulled what she’d need from her closet and then went into the bathroom. Torture was listening to her shower run while resisting the need to climb in with her.
He was vampire. Which meant that not only did he have preternatural speed and enhanced senses, but also a sex drive that in the right situation could be obsessive. It was getting to that stage with Cinn.
Dacian wanted to slide his hands over her bared body, slick from the warm water sluicing over her smooth skin. Then he’d slowly lick a trail…He shook his head. Stop it. Somewhere along the way he’d almost forgotten about Taurin and the danger from Stephan.
His torture ended when she finally emerged from the shower. Her face was scrubbed clean and she wore baggy jeans and a bulky sweatshirt. She had fuzzy slippers. And still he thought she was the sexiest thing he’d seen in centuries.
