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Pointing at Ensley, I hissed, “You’re like a bloody child tattling to the authorities. Go make a blasted tea and stop eavesdropping on my conversation. And for your information, I did not almost die, and we made a wonderful escape from the mansion. We were not in danger. I was in perfect control. You know nothing.”

Cristofer chuckled. “Oh, duck. Is that your human lover? What happened to erasing his mind?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It didn’t work.”

“Because you’re depleted?”

“No. Because we were too involved and I didn’t consider the uncountable layers required to make it effective. You could have mentioned that.”

“And spoil the fun of you finding out the hard way?” More laughter. “Put me on speaker. I simply must meet him.”

“No.”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

Ensley, who still hadn’t gone to the kitchen, wore a smirk that I was certain rivaled Cristofer’s, thousands of miles away.

“I’m not putting you on speaker. He is not involved.”

“Yes, you are, and yes, he is. Your lover needs a lesson, and he certainly isn’t going to learn it from you.”

I turned my back on Ensley and lowered my voice. “You are the last person I want teaching him anything. Our relationship has no bearing on my mission, and I will handle it once I—”

In my distraction, Ensley slipped in behind me and plucked the phone from my hand. I scrambled to retrieve it, but he scampered away, ducking behind the high table.

Tapping a button, the audio changed. “Hey. How’s it going? This is Ensley. Mordecai’s… bed partner? Boyfriend?”

I blanched.

Ensley shrugged. “We haven’t put a label on it. Who am I talking to?”

Chuckling came through the phone’s speaker. “You’re his lover, mate. Own it. Be proud. You have no idea the privilege you’ve been given. I, my new friend, am Cristofer. In our world, Mordecai and I are practically brothers. Not by blood, but you understand. Has he mentioned me? Probably not. He’s stubborn, that one. It is an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Yeah. You too. Maybe we can catch up another time. Look, Mordecai’s lying. He’s not fine. He’s… deteriorating before my eyes. He’s weak and—”

“Good grief, Ensley. Stop with the drama, or I’ll break my promise and erase your memories proper. You can be sure they won’t come back next time.”

“Ignore him. Empty threats,” Cristofer said. “If he’s as depleted as I assume, he can’t make it happen. Not effectively.”

“What do I do?” Ensley asked. “He’s being stubborn about… eating—I don’t know what the fuck you people call it. I didn’t realize how serious it was until now.”

“It’s not that serious.” No one was listening to me. No one cared about my feelings.

“How long’s it been?” Cristofer asked.

“No idea. He’s never talked about it. Maybe since he got here? I don’t know. How often should he… eat?”

“It’s a matter of opinion. If you want my advice—”

“He doesn’t need your advice, Cristofer. Kindly mind your business.”

“I do need advice.” Ensley dodged in the opposite direction when I rounded the table to go after him. “And you might talk fast. He’s getting feisty.”

“Simple. Seduce him. When you’ve got him good and stirred, offer yourself on a silver platter. He’ll be unable to resist. It won’t hurt, mate. A little sting. You might feel lightheaded after, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. My past lovers find it terribly erotic.”

“Cristofer! Enough. You will never convince me to do such a heinous thing, and damn you for putting suggestions in his head. I’m going into the city right now, and I will do what I must with a stranger. Stop tormenting me. Both of you.”

As I aimed for the door, intent on following through, Cristofer continued his diatribe.