Sparkle added, “The tourist board would take away our five-star rating like that”—she snapped her fingers—“if they found drained guests littering the halls. This was the only place secure enough to hold you. Mede broke a sweat chaining you to the wall. Your clothes—and I use the term loosely—were bloody and torn. Mede had to cut them off you because you were too out of control to unchain. I contributed my scarf to the cause in case of visitors.” She smiled. “What a shame to cover what is definitely your best feature.”

Ganymede hissed.

Sparkle put her finger over her lips. “Oops. Sorry. That was the old me. The new me didn’t even notice your excellent package.”

Dacian had to say something in his own defense. “I feed from animals most of the time.” Except when he needed a power boost. Like now.

Sparkle held up her palms. “See, there you are. An immediate problem. How would we explain all the missing shape-shifters?”

Okay, time to change the subject. “Where’s Taurin?”

“Away. Somewhere in Europe. He’ll be home soon. But we need to know what you’ve been doing for the last couple of hundred years before we let you join our happy family.” Something dangerous moved in the cat’s eyes.

Dacian thought about how much to tell them. Bare bones. That was all they needed to know. “I’ve been trying to avoid my maker.”

“Why?” Sparkle leaned forward, and Ganymede sank deeper. He purred.

Dacian thought Sparkle’s excitement didn’t bode well for him. Just a feeling. “Stephan has a god complex. Nothing short of world domination will make him happy. He’s been trying to call me home to help him. I don’t want to go.”

“Bastard,” Ganymede commiserated.

Sparkle looked like she wanted to ask more questions, but Dacian didn’t give her a chance. “Can I get out of here?”

“Do you know where ‘here’ is?” Ganymede sounded wary.

“The Castle of Dark Dreams. Your informant was right about me keeping track of Taurin.”

Ganymede just nodded. Dacian could read all of the cat’s unasked questions in his eyes. He had a few of his own. But now wasn’t the time for any more questions or answers. He needed to feed so he could think clearly.

Ganymede glanced at the door and it opened. “I’ve sent for Holgarth. He’ll take you to a room. We’ll send something up for you to drink—from a bottle, not the hotel employee. Can we trust you not to go wacko on us while you’re here?”

“I get some warning. If I feel anything coming on, I’ll let you lock me back up.”

“Good enough for now. We’ll talk again later.” Ganymede glanced up at Sparkle. “You can put me down now, babe.” He sounded sad about that.