“The guardians," Joshua begins. "We want you to join us."I laugh quietly, not understanding. "I, um, didn't think that was possible as long as I was living.""Not as a Guardian Guardian. As a Helper of Guardians. It's a new position. Just for you. I've been sent to talk to you since Seth refused." Joshua throws Seth a nasty look.”

“Guardian Belikov is the princess's guardian now," said Kirova, "Her sanctioned guardian.""You got cheap foreign labour to protect Lissa?”

“He shrugged. "She might be wild and disrespectful, but if she has potential—”"Wild and disrespectful?" I interrupted. "Who the hell are you anyway? Outsourced help?”"Guardian Belikov is the princess's guardian now," said Kirova. "Her sanctioned guardian.”"You got cheap foreign labor to protect Lissa?”

“You’re going back?” asked Bod. Things that had been immutable were changing. “You’re really leaving? But. You’re my guardian.” “I was you’re guardian. But you are old enough to guard yourself. I have other things to protect.”

“I think I'm more of a guardian angel girl.”

“Do you know the Guardians?” I asked Zay. “Is there some kind of club or yearly get-together where Guardians get drunk, wear funny hats, and compare war stories?”