Page 73 of The Missing Sentinel
“I know the other men at the table are dressed similarly, but it is far sexier on you,” Drexley told Ducarius.
“Sexier?When did you learn about that word?”
“On the television. I used my phone, as you taught me, to search it on the Internet. It suits you.”
“Not as well as you do.”
“Ducarius,” Cassius shouted.
Glaring at the interruption, Ducarius wrapped a hand around the hilt of one dagger and wished he could immediately hack away at the other Skeleton Lord. But there were rules in the household, and he did not want to invite Chander or Victor’s ire by breaking them. Ducarius could fight Cassius later in a sanctioned gym space at the sentinel complex.
“What do you want, and why are you yelling at me?” Ducarius demanded.
“I called your name several times, and you ignored me,” Cassius retorted.
“He was looking at Drexley,” Baxter pointed out. “They were probably using their mindlink to talk. You should know better than to interrupt mates.”
Cassius slammed his fork onto his plate. “I forgot. Duc and Drexley haven’t been home that long, and I didn’t get the sentinel mate superpowers. Sorry, I didn’t immediately think that they were talking. I wouldn’t have interrupted them if I’d heard them.”
With an epic eyeroll, Chander stood with his plate in his hand. His gaze narrowed as Alaric snatched it from his grasp andtook it into the kitchen. “Is it too much to ask to have everyone on their best behavior for the next century?”
“Yes,” Albrecht answered immediately. “The awkward silences are annoying.”
“Cass, did you have a point in interrupting me?” Ducarius asked.
“Yes, I was wondering if you wanted us to have a meeting this morning?” Cassius asked. “We could call Gavrael and Gedeon and get you caught up on what you missed.”
“Let’s have that after lunch. I’d like to be there,” Alaric decided. “Grymmie, can you and the reapers attend?”
Lich Reaper Grymington D’Vaire-Daray, the ruler of the three-man race of reapers, nodded. “Yes.”
Thankful that Drexley had eaten everything on his plate, Ducarius took both of their dishes and patiently waited for his turn to slide everything into the dishwasher. Ducarius returned to Drexley’s side and took his hand once his mate was on his feet. With his small dog, Princess, at his heels, Brynnius walked over with his phone in his hand.
“I have a picture of the closest Dérive station you can use to teleport, Drexley,” Brynnius offered.
Grateful for Brynnius’s help, both Ducarius and Drexley thanked the Skeleton Lord. Darays were soon popping out of the room to start their workdays, and Ducarius urged Drexley to leave before him. A second after Drexley disappeared, Ducarius followed him, and they walked to the headquarters of the Sentinel Brotherhood.
“I am underdressed,” Drexley complained as they milled through many different people ambling to their jobs. “Everyone looks beautiful.”
“If you want to wear a suit or something similar to the others, Victor and Evergreen can help you.”
“The only thing more impressive than the clothes is the wondrous way everything is built.”
Loving the awe in Drexley’s voice, Ducarius smiled at him. They were soon at the doors of the Sentinel Brotherhood, and Drexley’s gaze was wide as he took in the glass windows displaying a perfect view of the massive round table they used for meetings. Ducarius led him inside, and they were confronted by a large reception desk. And a druid-necromancer hybrid wearing an enormous grin while the sentinel formerly tied to his soul rolled his eyes at his side.
“Duc, I already knew you were a lucky bitch, and that was before I saw your mate,” Evergreen exclaimed. “Why didn’t anyone ever mention that sentinels could rock facial hair? Drexley, love the goatee.”
“I wanted to ask about it, but Duc told us we had to be on our best behavior,” Cassius complained as he slunk up the open staircase to his office.
“My former necromancer encouraged me to grow a beard, but that was impossible,” Drexley remarked. “I am glad I was able to offer this compromise.”
“Victor told me you need clothes,” Evergreen said. “And the sentinels will be in their meeting all afternoon because they’re gossiping queens. Drexley, what if you, me, and Victor sneak off to do some shopping?”
“An excellent notion if the idea pleases you,” Ducarius told Drexley. “I fear our meeting will be long given how much information I want to learn.”
“You would miss work,” Drexley commented to Evergreen. “I do not wish to put your job at risk.”
“We cannot live without Evergreen or Dudley,” Ducarius said. “Their jobs are the most secure in the building. They are to our office what Victor is to our home. Evergreen wouldalso enjoy a shopping trip with you, so of course he should accompany you.”
