Page 17 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Worth, call him in here. Let’s see what he thinks. I want him to decide his own future. If he wants to stay, we’ll figure out a solution,” Aleksander instructed. Worth picked up the phone and within minutes, Duff waltzed through the doorstep. He took one look at Delaney and curled his lip. Duff had accused Delaney of sleeping with Idris—something they hadn’t done, not that it was any of the shifter’s business. His accusation wouldn’t have been an issue, but the next time they were alone together, Duff brought it up again.
When Delaney demanded he change the subject, Duff suggested they have sex. He’d teased about it before, but there was no joking around. Duff had gone so far as to try and kiss Delaney. Firmly committed to being his mate’s first, should he ever show up, and not at all attracted to Duff, Delaney rebuffed him. Duff’s response was to tear into him with hateful words and to speculate on all the reasons why his parents dumped him.
They were the same things that had been thrown in his face his whole life. Since they were friends before that, Duff had known exactly how to cut into Delaney. He’d even started calling him Scary when no one could overhear him. Delaney didn’t see any reason why he should deal with someone that cruel, so he made no overtures to fix their rift. He tried to be nice to him for the sake of family, but Duff did not make it easy. The shifter went out of his way to be nasty whenever he could get away with it.
“You wanted to talk to me, Aleksander?” Duff inquired after giving his attention to the D’Vaire king.
“I understand you’ve become very enamored of the clubs in Las Vegas. I’m concerned that you’re finding the rather isolated life we have here at D’Vaire too restricting.”
“Does Del have to be in here when we talk?”
“I can clear the room if you’d like, and we can discuss it privately.”
Duff shifted his weight onto one leg as he cocked a hip out. “Everyone else can stay, I just don’t want Del hearing my personal business.”
“Neither one of you needs to tell me what conflict has risen between you, but I’m not going to stand for ongoing feuds under this roof. We are first and foremost a family. That means letting go of grudges and finding resolutions for arguments or disagreements,” Aleksander replied.
“If you allow words to go unspoken, sometimes you live to regret it,” Dre’Kariston added. He and his former familiar Derwin hadn’t gotten along. Now Derwin was dead and Dre’Kariston blamed himself but no one¬—likely not even Derwin himself—had known that taking two Cwylld stones would render him unconscious before killing him within a matter of days, leaving their relationship unresolved.
“I guess Del can stay then,” Duff said. “I do like clubs. You guys are always saying we should do what makes us happy. I like my friends. I like getting laid. Guys. Girls. I like it all.”
“Have you considered that D’Vaire might not be the right fit for you? We can speak with the Emperor and send you to Court Draconis or maybe the Reverent Knights can find another sanctuary for you. Perhaps somewhere that doesn’t require you to have a guard shadowing you all the time?” Aleksander suggested.
“No, I don’t want to leave D’Vaire.”
“What about your job working as the office manager of the Dark Indigo office?” Idris asked. “We have a six-month contract. When it runs out, it’s unlikely Del and I are going to extend it. Your issue with Del aside, you’re late often and don’t have a lot of initiative.”
“I’m sorry, but what you guys do all day is boring. Magickind are like, obsessed with reading books and crap like that. I’m not a nerd.”
“Then I see no reason not to terminate your employment now,” Delaney replied.
“Fine, but you can’t kick me out of D’Vaire.”
“I can’t but Aleksander can.”
“Gentlemen, let’s stay focused, okay? If you’d like to stay, then we need to figure out another solution for your security. Bridger and Hadley have gone above and beyond their duty,” Aleksander said.
Duff rolled his eyes. “I don’t see why I need a sentinel with me when I go out.”
“Do you have a problem with sentinels?” Delaney asked.
“Why are you always trying to stir shit up, Del?” Duff retorted. “No, I don’t have a problem with sentinels. I don’t need a guard to party and fuck. You’d know if anyone ever fucked you.”
“That’s enough. Del’s choices are his own, and he doesn’t need anyone to comment upon them. You need a guard as long as you live under my roof. Understood?” Aleksander stated.
“I’m just saying these guys shouldn’t have to be following me around. They deserve to have their own time to do what they want.”
“I have a suggestion. Perhaps we could approach Alaric. We have over eight thousand sentinels. I am sure many would be willing to volunteer to go to a club. The Sentinel Brotherhood is always looking for new things to try,” Gavrael suggested.
“Well, no one’s safer than with a sentinel. Give the Lich Sentinel a call. I’ll work out the details with him,” Brogan answered.
“Great. Keep me in the loop, guys,” Aleksander said.
“Problem hopefully solved,” Mac remarked as he stood and pulled Idris to his feet. “Now, it’s time for Del, Idris and me to turn into Cinderella for the night.”
“Wait, you guys are going out?” Duff asked.
“The Emperor is having a fundraiser for the Order of the Fallen Knights and the Sentinel Brotherhood. The Spectra Wizardry has always donated, and I am sure Vadimas wishes to have his High Arcanists with him,” Gavrael stated. “Geddy and I need to get changed, the Lich Sentinel is requiring the entire Skeleton Seven to attend. I believe the Coven of Warlocks will be present as well.”
