Page 69 of The Missing Sentinel
“Okay, I need to get back upstairs. I’m in the middle of a chapter. Text me if you guys need anything,” Callyx said, then jogged away from their small group.
“I can’t believe how nosy Callyx is,” Baxter remarked.
“Right, because you’re never nosy,” Chander retorted. “Drexley, do you want a tour of the library, or would you prefer to head upstairs to my private reading room? I’m not sure what interests you, but I have a pretty good variety of stuff in there.”
“Chand is addicted to books,” Benton confided.
“Chand likely has the largest collection of books on necromantic magic and the history of his people,” Ducarius said.
Excited at the prospect of expanding his education and intimidated by the giant space, Drexley offered Ducarius a smile.
“Those are my favorite subjects of study,” Drexley replied.
Ducarius winked. “I know, want to go upstairs?”
“Yes, I would like that very much,” Drexley answered, happy to get his hands on books he had not read dozens of times. As they walked toward a bank of elevators, Drexley was gratified that he was not intimidated by the number of people they passed or the ones milling about. After so many centuries spent with little or no company, he had not been sure how he would feel around others.
But Drexley was remarkably calm. Perhaps it was because they were strangers and he did not have to interact with them. Being around the Darays made him anxious despite the kindness they had offered. Drexley assured himself that that was normal. They were important to Ducarius, and Drexley yearned for their approval.
“I’m going to need coffee and probably some cookies if I have to sit in a library all day,” Baxter said as the elevator doors shut. The box moved swiftly upward, but it made Drexley’s belly flop unpleasantly. Elevators were odd.
“No one invited you,” Chander retorted. “Duc is here. You don’t need to be. So, either go to the shop and get something to stuff in your face or shut up.”
“We ate breakfast less than an hour ago,” Ducarius pointed out.
“Ben and I are the Daemon Lords,” Baxter informed Chander. “Where you go, we follow. That’s how it has worked for how many years?”
“Too many,” Chander muttered as the doors whooshed open and they walked out.
Baxter didn’t respond. They made it to a private room that Chander unlocked, and Drexley nearly drooled at the overflowing shelves.
Chander offered Drexley a smile. “If you’d like, I can grab a book for you. I have an old history book of the Order of Necromancia. It’s the most accurate of the bunch, and it belonged to a sorcerer who scribbled spells on whatever blank spots he could find. We haven’t been able to find a second copy of it, so it must be rare. It’s one of my favorites.”
“I would be honored to read it.”
Drexley had to bite his tongue to keep from adding Chander’s title at the end of his acceptance of the offer. It went against everything he had been taught to ignore the title Fate had given the Arch Lich. He idly wondered what Adney was thinking across the veil, if he could see Drexley now. A fresh wave of grief rolled through him at the reminder that his mentor was dead.
At his side, Ducarius kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand. With their ability to sense each other’s emotions, Ducarius could feel Drexley’s sorrow, and his other half was far too compassionate not to offer whatever comfort he could. It was one of the many reasons Drexley adored him.
“Great, make yourself at home in here and I’ll grab it. I think I know where it is.”
“You should’ve seen this place years ago,” Benton said. “You could barely get in here, and there was shit boxed up everywhere. Thanks to Victor and some D’Vaire sorcerers you’llmeet soon, we straightened it out, and we’ve been able to keep Chand from fucking it up too much since. He’s really messy.”
“Takes one to know one,” Chander replied.
“Chand’s getting more coffee,” Baxter remarked. “Who else wants a drink or snacks? Duc? Drexley?”
“Just grab us both something,” Ducarius said. “Drexley is unfamiliar with the options.”
“On it,” Baxter replied.
Benton crossed his arms. “How are you going to carry all that?”
“Both of you idiots go, Duc will be here,” Chander ordered.
Baxter stabbed his finger into Ducarius’s face. “Do not decide to take your mate for a walk until I get back.”
“Do you honestly think I would leave the Arch Lich alone in a room in a public building?” Ducarius demanded.
