Lionel blinked. “But what is that?”

“It’s a magical artifact I stole from the duke.” Cindy ran a hand along the crystal orb. “You belong to me now. But don’t worry. I’m going to take very good care of you.”

“Now I say—that is quite unfair!” Lionel complained.

Cindy chuckled. “Not really. Because in a way, I belong to you, too.”

“What?”

“The dragonhome is influencing my thoughts. It’s…making me…care about you. I don’t think I could harm you if I wanted to.”

Lionel snorted. “For whatever that monstrosity’s definition of ‘harm’ is.”

Cindy shrugged. “Well, there is that.” She opened the appetite control display and slid the “virgins” slider all the way to the left, and the “chili dogs” slider all the way to the right. Then she brought up the navigation display. “Anyway, ready for takeoff?”

“Are you sure we can’t discuss thi—aaaaah!” Lionel ran out of the cave and launched himself into the air before he even realized what he was doing.

Cindy grinned. “Steakxas, here we come!”