Chapter Seventeen

Silence. A shivering sliver of deadly quiet. Outside, the wind howled and blew the snow into drifts that formed strange shapes against the greenhouse walls.

But inside, everyone waited. And those who had breath held it. Cinn thought she might never breathe again. Because breathing required a heartbeat, and she was sure hers had stopped the moment the door opened.

A man stood in the doorway while a cold blast of air and driven snow blew into the room around him. Then he slammed the door shut.

That seemed to jump-start everyone in the greenhouse.

“Who the hell are you? If you’re not on Ganymede’s list, you’re dead.”

Cinn had never seen Edge look this dangerous. Not exactly a hearty “Welcome, stranger.”

“Cut the drama. It’s me.”

More silence.

“Ganymede.”

“No way.” Bain said it for all of them.

Ganymede was a chubby cat with a huge appetite. This man was…

Cinn wasn’t sure she had words for what he was. Tall, about six five. Muscular with broad shoulders that tapered down to narrow hips. Strong-looking legs. He wore jeans tucked into calf-high boots that looked well broken in, a white T-shirt, and a tan suede jacket. His hair was a little too long and it curled, framing his face, making him look like a fallen angel who was enjoying the dark side a whole lot. The color wasn’t just blond blond. It had a richness, shine, and depth to it that would make any woman want to rake her fingers through it over and over and over.

“What do you think, wizard?” Eric looked as though he wasn’t sure whether to attack or accept.

“The voice belongs to Ganymede.” Holgarth scowled. “Only Sparkle would know for sure. But this could be the nefarious work of the sorcerer.”

“We don’t have time for this crap. My babe is in danger. You want proof, wizard? How about if I drive your pointy hat through your thick skull? That proof enough for you?” The air vibrated with the power of his anger.

“Why did you take human form?” Cinn didn’t know if this was Ganymede or not. But the woman in her couldn’t look away from his face. The amber eyes were a given, but the rest of his features were a total surprise. The Ganymede who spoke in her head should have rough-hewn features, maybe a beard, probably bushy eyebrows and a jutting jaw. A scary tough guy.

“I need opposable thumbs so I can choke the life from Rabid when I find him.”

Okay, so the scary part was still a go. But what an incredible face. Its spectacular lines and angles, combined with a sensual mouth and amber eyes framed by long lashes, should have looked almost too beautiful. But instead his face was strongly masculine.