“I’m so happy you’re finally opening yourself up to your inner power. Although I wouldn’t give Sparkle any credit for your transformation.” Asima sniffed her opinion of Sparkle.

“What?” Cinn hadn’t noticed that Asima had left Vince’s side. The cat now sat on the counter next to her.

“Haven’t you wondered why Airmid hasn’t knocked you in the head and dumped your body into an unmarked grave?”

“Well, maybe, a little.”

“Hmmph. It’s because she can’t.”

“And how do you know this?”

“I serve a goddess. I know these things. You obviously share some of her power or else you never would have been able to create such amazing plants. Airmid can’t just erase someone who is basically part of her. Huge congratulations, you’re a demigoddess.”

“Okay, head ready to explode here. That doesn’t make much sense to me.” Then what had made sense lately?

“Fine, I’ll reword it in language you can understand. Airmid can’t kill you without destroying a little of herself. Most goddesses aren’t into self-sacrifice.” Asima seemed to feel she’d said everything that needed saying, because she began washing her face with one delicate paw.

Sparkle wasn’t the only one experiencing rapid growth. Cinn’s basic beliefs and understanding of reality were expanding and morphing at warp speed. Her character? Not so much. Considering her violent thoughts aimed at Stephan, she’d guess that her character had taken a major hit.

“But she can still kill my plants.”

Asima paused in the washing process. “Oh, yes, she can certainly do that.” The cat glanced over at Teddy. “I have to visit Teddy now and read to him. It’s truly difficult for one cat, no matter how beautiful and talented, to keep two plants happy. Of course, they’re both male, so I have to be careful not to appeal to their baser instincts.”

“Uh-huh.” Cinn didn’t intend to go there. Ever.

She didn’t notice when Asima wandered off because Wade had arrived.

“Sorry I took so long getting to you, but I stopped to talk to Edge.”

Cinn glanced at Edge. He was grinning. Well, she was glad this awful situation amused Lord Death.

“Here. I got you this G. Loomis fishing rod. One of the best out there.” Something elemental appeared in his eyes. Something she hadn’t seen there before. “After we make love down in my cabin, we can come up on deck and fish while we look at the stars. You’ll love it out on the boat at night.”

That did it. She had to find a cure. Now. “It’s beautiful, Wade. What a shame it’s too cold to go out on a boat.”

Wade looked glum for a moment and then brightened. “It never stays cold for long in Galveston. First warm spell, we’ll take her out.”