Page 38 of The Missing Sentinel
“You will like them. They are part of the family I mentioned that helps outcasts. We consider them our extended family too. Their last name is D’Vaire.”
“Sentinels do not have last names.”
“In the past, we lacked them. But things are different now. Once the D’Vaire sentinels brought Alaric to the Council, the Arch Lich soon discovered the spell and, with the help of some talented sorcerers, removed it from the Lich Sentinel. Free to think for himself, Alaric wanted to learn more about his own people. He went through old records and discovered there were five sentinels missing. Brynnius. Cassius. Eduard. Ducarius. Drexley. He made it his mission to find us.”
“He did not find me. Was he able to locate the others besides you?”
“With the help of Gavrael and Gedeon, Alaric found all of us. You are the only missing sentinel. Alaric located Brynn, Cass, Eduard, and me. Cass detected the clue that led us to Albrecht. The five of us had something unique in common. We were all skeletons. For whatever reason, Alaric gave us five along with Gavrael and Gedeon the honor of helping him lead our people. Gavrael named us the Skeleton Seven. Alaric granted us each the title of Skeleton Lord and altered our poisons so they were the same as his. So everyone would know we were leaders too.”
His eyes wide, Drexley blinked. “You are titled?”
“Yes, it is a title I carry with both honor and a smidge of disbelief. Alaric can lead alone, but he trusts us to aid him. I refuse to ever give him a second to regret that decision.”
“Did he also give you last names? Wait, did I forget that Alaric has a last name? What is it?”
Ducarius stared at Drexley and briefly wondered if the other sentinel would believe the details he’d left out until now. “Like every sentinel, Alaric lacked a last name. But he gained one thanks to his mate. Gavrael and Gedeon were already D’Vaires, but as for us skeletons, we wanted to honor the men who gave us freedom. Alaric shattered the machine Le’Terrius created, which paired a sentinel to a necromancer upon birth. And the Arch Lich used magic to break the existing bonds.”
“Why is there hesitation in your voice?”
“I applaud your observational skills in detecting that.”
“Congratulate me later. Will you tell me why you suddenly are reluctant to tell me things about your life?”
“I do not know how you will react.”
Drexley cocked his head and pursed his lips. “You can only learn how I will react by trusting me with the knowledge.”
“When you put it that way, you give me no choice,” Ducarius grumbled. “Very well. I am Skeleton Lord Ducarius Daray.”
The book on the table next to Drexley landed with a thud on the floor as he rushed to his feet and his eyes went as round as saucers. “You took the Arch Lich’s last name? What did he make of your temerity?”
“Do you remember your surprise that the Lich Sentinel could make the order that the Daemon Lords continue their protection of the Arch Lich? The reason Alaric is so consumed with the Arch Lich’s safety is because they are mates. Alaric is a Daray. My family is the Darays. I live with Alaric and Chander. Chand. We call him Chand.”
Motionless, Drexley stared without blinking. His mouth fell open. Drexley closed it again. He licked his lips. Ducarius tried not to think about how much he wanted to taste Drexley. The other sentinel swallowed loudly enough to be heard across the room. His brows furrowed. Then he lowered himself slowly into his chair again.
“I…I find this news most surprising.”
“While I was not there the day Alaric and Chand met, I suspect they were shocked too.”
Drexley lifted a hand to his mouth. “Some things make better sense now. Adney and I could not understand how the Arch Lich could break the bonds between sentinels and necromancers when we require their guidance. But he shares leadership with Alaric.”
“No, the Arch Lich has nothing to do with the Sentinel Brotherhood any longer. Alaric and Chand share an office because they love each other and wish to spend their days together as their schedules allow, but their races are separate. Far more distinct than at probably any other point in the past. Fate made Chand the Arch Lich and Alaric the Lich Sentinel. Two different races led by men who happen to be mates. Their private relationship has nothing to do with politics or leadership. Neither Alaric nor the Skeleton Seven would allow any necromancer to tell us to do shit. Except at home. We listen if Chand gives orders. But that is because he is scary, and my family can be annoying.”
“And I thought the most astonishing part of my day was how well you kiss,” Drexley murmured.
“Did you imagine I would be bad at it?”
Drexley shook his head. “No, but I also did not know my shaft would grow hard immediately either.”
“Ask me your other questions so we can kiss again.”
“All my other questions have escaped me. I will give it some thought, and we can return to our discussion tomorrow. My mind can only handle so much in each moment. The Arch Lich and the Lich Sentinel. Do me a favor and keep this information between the two of us. Should Adney learn such a detail, it may hasten his journey to the grave.”
“I will tell him what you wish and nothing else. Now, come sit on my lap and let me kiss you.”
With a small smile and his face red, Drexley hustled across the room. Ducarius was the one grinning as Drexley carefully planted himself on his thighs. Wrapping his arms loosely around his mate, Ducarius pressed his lips to Drexley’s, and nothing about spells, titles, or anything else but the lovely feeling of being close to the other sentinel existed any longer.
Chapter 18
