Sparkle wasn’t smiling. “I ruined three nails on those cookies. Not that I notice my nails anymore,” she hurried to assure everyone. “But the store stuff is just as good. Open the package, put the precut cookies on the pan, bake for ten minutes. Works for me.”

And before Cinn could even think about saying anything, Sparkle turned on her. “Yes, these are my old clothes. I couldn’t go searching for your plant naked, could I?”

Ganymede perked right up. “Wouldn’t bother me, cuddle-bunny.“

Sparkle ignored him. “Edge and Bain are on their way. Everyone will help search until it’s time for the fantasies to start. Then they’ll have to take care of our customers.”

Fair enough. Cinn appreciated any help she could get.

“I’ll help, too.“ Asima’s words said one thing, but her tone said she wasn’t too excited about the whole thing.

Cinn wouldn’t blame her if she backed out of the search party. Since Dacian and she had looked into everything in the castle that would qualify as cold and a box, the next step was to search outside. Cinn didn’t figure Asima for a cold-weather cat.

Once Edge, Bain, and even Holgarth showed up, Dacian filled them in on Vince’s three last words. Even with all her worry, Cinn got some satisfaction from their shocked expressions. A plant could communicate. Let Holgarth call that unimportant.

They worked out a search plan and then separated. Dacian and Cinn stayed together and Asima tagged along with them.

After searching all the garbage bins on the park grounds and not hearing any encouraging words from the rest of the searchers, Cinn was almost ready to give up. If they didn’t find him soon it might be too late because the trash collectors would empty the bins in the morning and cart everything to the dump. And if she were honest, she’d have to admit that most likely he was already gone. Dacian hadn’t heard his voice again, and she hadn’t felt him brushing against her mind.

Asima had remained strangely silent. Not that Cinn didn’t appreciate the quiet, but it gave her too much time to think. About Vince, about Dacian, and about how her life seemed to be spiraling out of control. She was in the middle of wondering how she’d react if Dacian reverted to his vampire nature—whatever that was—when Asima finally spoke.

“What will happen to your plant if he’s out in the cold?“

“He’ll die.” Not exactly true. Vince could survive the cold, but if a lie would energize the search, then she’d lie her butt off.

Asima was silent for a little longer. “Umm, maybe we should check some of the trash cans outside the park.“

Distracted, Cinn didn’t pay much attention to her answer. “Where would we start? I bet there are a hundred trash cans outside the park walls. Besides, if someone was going to throw Vince in the trash, why not just heave him in one closer to the castle?”