If Cinn hadn’t had Vince in her arms, she would’ve clamped protective hands over her hair.

“We’ll have to do something with your hair.” Sparkle’s gaze dropped. “And your face.”

Cinn opened her mouth to complain.

Sparkle shook her head. “Sorry, but I’m the boss. I’m pulling rank on you. I own the park and you’re an employee of the park.” Then she smiled. “You’ll love how you look.”

Cinn firmed her lips in silent disagreement.

Sparkle’s expression turned sly. “Even with all his scars, Dacian is an incredible-looking man.” She tried on a sorrowful expression. “I’m sure he hasn’t known much love in his life.”

“That won’t work on me.” Cinn wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, though.

“And I wasn’t joking when I told you that you might be able to come up with a cure for him. Work on him like you work on your plants. Find some way to block the message that triggers his rage. You can do it. I have faith in you.”

Rah, rah, and sis-boom-bah. Sparkle would’ve made a great motivational speaker-slash-cheerleader. Cinn wouldn’t be winning any battles here tonight, so she’d retreat to lick her wounds and gather her strength for the next fight.

“You can’t carry the clothes and your plant, too, so I’ll have the clothes sent to your room.” Sparkle’s expression said that if it were her, she’d drop Vince and opt for the clothes.

Cinn finally made it out the door. She sighed deeply once she’d reached the relative safety of the hallway. “Do you get a spiraling-out-of-control feeling, Vince?” He might not be able to answer her, but at least he could share her emotions.

“Personally, I think you’re letting the bitch walk all over you. I wouldn’t even consider wearing those slutty clothes she’s sending to your room. If you need clothes, I have much more tasteful choices.“

For a moment, Cinn thought Vince was answering her, but then she recognized Asima’s voice. She glanced down. Sure enough, the Siamese cat was pacing beside her. It was pretty sad when she was thinking of Asima as a friend.

“How did you know what was going on inside there?”

Asima blinked her blue eyes in surprise. “I listened at the door, of course.“

“And you don’t see anything wrong with that?”

The cat looked puzzled. “No. How else would I find out things?“

“Point taken.” No use arguing. “You said you’re the messenger of Bast, so I guess you have goddess connections.”

“Excellent goddess connections.“ If she’d had a fluffy coat, Asima would’ve been puffed up into a round ball of feline pride. “Bast depends on me.“

“Umm, do you think there’s a chance that Bast might intercede with Airmid for me? You know, goddess to goddess?”