He smiled, a flash of white teeth in a face otherwise dedicated to darkness. She didn’t know why she thought that. His eyes were deep blue, framed by long sooty lashes. His mouth was a sensual treat. She didn’t usually notice men’s mouths, but his was hard to ignore. And his face…What to say about it? His features were beautiful, and all that smoky-dark hair framing his face made it…not real? Dumb thought. Of course it was real. She was staring at it. But something hungry crouching behind all that beauty made her uneasy. Evil wearing that face would be deadly.

“You’re the plant lady.” His voice was warm and welcoming with a touch of sinister hiding in the bushes.

As she let him guide her to the corner table, she decided that his voice could convince sane women to do insane things.

Once seated, Cinn watched all of them watch her. The wizard leaned forward. She’d bet he intimidated lots of people with his narrowed gray eyes and long pointed gray beard.

“You, madam, are a pervert.” He glared at Cinn.

Cinn blinked.

“Oh, stuff it, Holgarth.” Sparkle sounded more resigned than shocked.

The wizard didn’t back off. “You take perfectly nice plants and turn them into cheap voyeurs feeding on sleazy sex.”

Okay, he’d gone too far. Cinn didn’t look for trouble, but an attack on her plants brought out every one of her maternal instincts. “Now I know why you wear that hat. It’s the only one that’ll fit your pointy head.” Fine, so she was acting immature, but this man triggered her inner brat. “If you knew anything, you’d know I expand my plants’ horizons. I give each plant more options in life than just growing and dying.” She dismissed him with an angry huff. “Some of them probably have higher IQs than you, but then that wouldn’t be much of a stretch.”

“Sleazy sex?” Sparkle hadn’t gotten past those words yet. “I can’t believe you said that, Holgarth. I’ve experienced some amazing sleazy sex.”

Holgarth sniffed. “I’m sure you have.” He turned his attention back to Cinn. “As the attorney for Live the Fantasy, I’ve advised Sparkle against turning mutant plants loose in the park. They’re a lawsuit waiting to happen.”

“Mutant plants?” This guy was Sparkle’s lawyer?

“Exactly. Leafy savages capable of inflicting mental anguish on unsuspecting guests. And I wear many different hats, Ms. Airmid. I also oversee the managing of the castle.” The threat was implicit—Work here and I’ll make your life miserable.

“Look, we’re wasting time.” The guy with the grim reaper tattoo glanced at his watch. “Someone, somewhere needs to die, and I have to make sure it happens. So let’s get the intro over. I’m Edge.”