And then the threat was over. Dacian didn’t know who had blinked, or even if anyone had, but the confrontation wouldn’t be tonight. Something told him it would eventually happen, though. That was one power struggle he didn’t want any part of.

Everyone except for the guy Ganymede had identified as Bain headed for the elevator, and Cinn fell into step beside Dacian. She’d taken the time to pull on jeans and a red top. But not a bra. He gripped his lower lip between his teeth to keep from showing fang. When he finally released his lip, he watched her gaze slide across it. She licked her own lips.

Awareness was suddenly alive and well between them. He let his gaze slip to her feet. Safe enough. She still wore her fuzzy slippers. They made him smile. Good. Desire wasn’t banished, but at least it was bellowing outside the gates. And that was where he’d keep it for now.

“Do you want me to carry the plant?”

She frowned.

“I mean, carry Vince?” He hated to humanize the plant with a name, but if it made her more at ease with him he’d do it.

She wouldn’t let him carry the plant. She didn’t trust him. He was the terrifying undead to her. He didn’t try to slip into her mind to verify that belief because…he didn’t want the ugly details.

Cinn hesitated for a moment and then nodded. Reluctantly, she handed him the plant.

He couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d handed him a bomb. Dacian took Vince and wrapped his arms around the plant. If she’d put her trust in him to do this, he was going to make damn sure he didn’t drop the pot. She’d had the vine wrapped in a nice neat ball, but now it tumbled loose. Smothering a curse, Dacian gathered up the vine and draped it over his shoulder. Just freaking great. He glanced at Cinn. She was grinning. And suddenly, he felt like grinning, too.

Sparkle and Ganymede had a suite in one of the towers. Ganymede paused in front of the door. “Understand something. Sparkle did the decorating before she got depth and character. Personally I think this is who she really is, but that’s just me. Anyway, the first jerk who makes a crack about it gets a fist in the face.”

“You don’t have a fist.” Dacian had to point out the obvious.

“Smart-ass.” Ganymede turned back to the door. “I have claws, though.”

The door swung open and Ganymede padded in. Dacian, Cinn, and Edge followed him. Dacian and Cinn froze in the doorway. Edge just snorted his opinion and kept walking.

Sparkle swayed toward them. “Welcome. Have a seat.”