“And all this fell into place because I found Dacian’s paid snoop.” Actually, one of his spies had found him, but since his followers were merely an extension of him, Stephan felt perfectly justified in taking credit. “Too bad Jim only had a phone number and not a location. He was pitifully willing to pass my information on to Dacian. He didn’t have a very high pain threshold.” Stephan frowned. “You disposed of his body?”

“Of course.”

“Good. You may leave.”

Stephan sat thinking for a while after he dismissed Kevin and before he went for his evening’s entertainment. Once Taurin returned to the castle, Stephan would have to make sure Dacian didn’t convince his brother to leave immediately. They had to be in the castle when he attacked. He wouldn’t lose Dacian again. A few more mindless rages would keep his oldest child chained in the dungeon. And if Stephan’s timing were perfect, Dacian would be chained to the wall, waiting to be plucked when Stephan arrived. He’d work on making that happen.

Chapter Eleven

Cinn would rather have faced ten Holgarths than one Sparkle Stardust right now. Because the wizard was predictable. He was always cranky and sarcastic. But Sparkle was manipulative and changeable. Cinn didn’t know if she could deal with what Sparkle might bring.

“Thanks for coming with me.” She glanced up at Dacian. Cinn never tired of looking at him. His beauty and the memory of their lovemaking pushed into the background her fear of his uncontrolled rages and the realization that, hey, he was a vampire.

“No thanks needed. I’ll be with you every second I’m awake until we get this Airmid thing solved.” He smiled at her.

His smiles came more easily now. She hoped a little of that was because of her.

Turning her attention back to Sparkle’s door, she took a deep breath and then knocked. And prayed that maybe Sparkle was somewhere else.

Sparkle flung open the door. “What?” She wore a pair of brown polyester pants, a white cotton top, ordinary sneakers, and an angry scowl.

Cinn stood speechless. It was sort of like seeing the Statue of Liberty holding up a Pyrex bowl. It just didn’t look right.

Dacian explained things to Sparkle: “Ganymede wants his treats. If you don’t let us take them, we’ll have to make a trip to the store. You wouldn’t be punishing Ganymede.”

“Huh.” She stepped aside to let Cinn pass, but she stopped Dacian. “Do a favor for me. Find Edge and tell him I have a job for him.”

Dacian narrowed his gaze on her. “No, you can’t order Edge to kill Ganymede just because he gave away your clothes. Buy more.”

She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “As tempting as the thought is, that’s not why I want Edge.”

“So call him on your cell.”