Dacian forced back his first impulse, to threaten. He didn’t know why. She wasn’t anyone special in his life. And as soon as Taurin came back, he’d never see her or her plants again. Still, he supposed there was no need to play rough with her or her freaking plants.

He stepped back into the greenhouse, quietly shut the door, and locked it behind him. “Look, your plants will be safe. I’m just interested, okay? Let’s meet Vince.”

She nodded and then led him over to a long vine with dark green leaves. Then she hovered.

“I drink blood, Cinn. I don’t eat plants. So stop looking as if I’m about to make a tossed salad out of your Vince.”

She nodded, but her expression didn’t change.

He huffed his frustration before turning his attention back to the periwinkle plant. It looked too normal, too much like plants Dacian had seen crawling along the ground in the shadows of ancient keeps, for him to believe it could crawl into his mind as well. But Dacian had experienced too much in his long existence to dismiss the possibility. Besides, one of her plants had bitten him. Proof that she was a lot more than just a nice lady who grew plants.

Nice lady? He slid his gaze the length of her body. Full breasts that would fit perfectly in the palms of his hands. A round little ass that called to him with every step she took. Long sexy legs she could wrap around him as he plunged…He shook the thoughts away. Bottom line? Nice wasn’t the right word. Hot was a much better one.

Dacian forced himself to focus on the plant. “Here’s the deal, Vince. Stay out of my mind. I’m a private person. I don’t make polite with anyone dropping in uninvited. Got it?”

“He doesn’t understand words, just emotions.” She moved closer to Dacian, her warm and sensual scent playing havoc with his concentration.

“Then he’s out of luck, isn’t he? Because I’m not into emotions, except for the occasional insane burst of rage or uncontrollable bout of lust.”

Instead of moving away from him as he’d expected, she just looked puzzled. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Try to scare me by playing up your negatives.”

He couldn’t stop his surprised bark of laughter. “Lady, I don’t have anything but negatives. Believe it.”

She didn’t respond. Instead her expression smoothed out and she closed her eyes.

“What’re you doing?”

She didn’t answer for a moment, and then she opened her eyes. “I was sending Vince calm and peaceful feelings. It’ll reassure him.”

“Right. Reassure.” God, he hoped Taurin hurried home. Or maybe Airmid really would show up. Kicking goddess butt might keep him sane.