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“Yet you threw yourself in front of me to shield me. You were nearly erased by that nasty blow.”
“It was very nasty,” he agreed before he shrugged. “I’m a dead man, but you’ve just started.”
“Dead or living, I don’t want you gone,” I said, offering my wrist. “Take a few more sips. You’ve earned it.”
“Nay,” he said, standing up. “I’m going to drink from everyone else in the house. You need to keep your energy, as you’re depleted.”
And then he was gone.
When I came out of the boiler room, Rock was rubbing his forearm, which had goosebumps all over. With his superior werewolf hearing, Rock had heard the conversation between Pucker and me. He darted his gaze left and right to detect the presence of the ghost guardian, wondering if Pucker was sucking his energy at the moment, since he was the closest target.
“You look ashen,” Rock said with a frown. “How much did he take from you?”
“Minimum. I’m fine.”
“You should’ve let him take some from me,” Rock said. “I don’t like it, but in this case, I’d allow it.”
“Only Sir Killian and I could put him together after he was almost—” I shook my head as fear of losing Pucker coursed through me. I’d have a word with him and warn him not to sacrifice himself again.
“Take it easy, Rock.” I smirked. “Pucker will go to you tonight after you fall asleep, since you’ve volunteered to offer him a drink.”
His bronze face paled. “Didn’t he already drink from you?”
“The more, the merrier! Guardian Pucker is as insatiable as Guardian Lady Magenta. Guardian Pucker never asks when he saps energy from any of you in the house. He’s only polite to me, and of course he learned to stay away from Sir Killian unless he has permission to approach him.”
Rock growled. “No wonder sometimes I felt exhausted even when I was fully rested.”
I nodded. “You’re one of his favorites, since you’re more powerful than others. Both guardians can get a good, satisfying boost from sipping your energy juice.”
Now that Pucker was fine, I felt lighter inside, even though more trouble would be waiting for me, brewing on the horizon even as I spoke.
One step at a time.
Sy preened. Next step is for me to see my sugar Rowan.
Next step is to have food, then nap for an hour or two. Killian will want to interrogate me when he returns.
He’ll go easy on you. He always does, Sy said with a yawn, and went to sleep.
Rock cursed. “Tell them to stay away from me!”
“I don’t like to tell other people what to do, you know,” I said, then over his glare, I added, “Don’t you worry, Rock. You won’t feel a thing other than tired after Pucker takes a swig of your energy. It’s similar to donating blood to Prince Louis. Only that Pucker is like a spiritual vampire. Ghosts need to suck energy to stay sane and positive. You know what I mean? Pucker has many flaws, and he’s morally gray, but he isn’t too bad compared to many other vicious beings.”
Rock shook his head in disgust. “This can’t continue in the house! I’ll have to bring the issue to the prince. We must put a stop to it!”
“Well, you should scratch that idea,” I said. “Or the ghost guardian will visit you more often when you fall asleep at night.”
“Hello, werewolf.” Pucker materialized between us on the staircase, grinning. He looked much better now, even younger. “Talking about me?”
“Fuck!” Rock jumped.
Pucker flickered back to his phantom form and followed me back to my room.
I sprang toward the table, where plates of food threatened to weigh it down. Pucker threw the door shut in Rock’s face.
“Maybe you should go listen to Killian and the princes in their meeting,” I suggested, “now that you’re energized.”
“Prince Killian can see me,” he said.
