“We better get started before they start making out,” Baxter declared. Chander decided not to argue since his formerly-bound-to-his-soul sentinel was probably right. The guys were all quiet and apparently waiting for him to get started.
“Okay guys, thanks for meeting me tonight. As you know, I met with your architect today,” Chander said before leveling a fierce look at each one of the Skeleton Seven. When he got to Alaric, his scowl darkened further.
“I take it things did not go well?” his astute mate asked.
“You might have mentioned the man hates your guts.”
“We did not know he felt that way about us,” Gavrael stated.
“Apparently, you’ve spent the last few weeks driving him insane. The Emperor fast-tracked everything. You have permits, and the crews are ready to start. They even have the ground leveled. Everyone is waiting for you guys to get your shit together.”
“He literally asked Chand if he was going to be the new liaison one hundred times during a one-hour meeting,” Baxter remarked.
“And his eye twitched every time someone said the word sentinel,” Benton added.
“We want the best for the Sentinel Brotherhood,” a serious voice from under a cloak intoned. Chander was going to label him Ducarius for now.
“I understand that. I do too but you guys can’t keep making and unmaking decisions. You’ll never get this complex built.”
“We’re still changing things around at the compound. Every day we find a better way to make it work. We have been applying what we’ve learned to the plans for their new home. It’s our job to think of everything that can add to their comfort and increase their quality of life,” another skeleton said. It was a bit louder than Ducarius’s and so Chander hoped he was Cassius.
“I sympathize but you don’t need to go overboard. You started with one cafeteria and now you want three. Tell me why,” Chander demanded.
“We learned you can only prepare so many dishes in one kitchen. We don’t eat, but our men do and should have many options each night. If one cafeteria isn’t serving what they want, they can venture to another,” a decidedly gentle voice responded. Chander knew he had to be Brynnius.
“They get one option now—that’s unsatisfactory,” the fourth skeleton, who by process of elimination must be Eduard, replied.
“I understand. But having three or four options in a single cafeteria is plenty. They’re going to be living practically on top of the Council Headquarters development. Your guys will have access to hundreds of restaurants. They can easily go pick one and dine on whatever their heart desires. Not only that, I understand each apartment is intended to have a kitchen. They can cook for themselves as well.”
“They don’t know how to cook,” Brynnius countered. “That’s why we added a classroom with kitchen appliances, so we can invite instructors to teach them.”
“I get it and that’s an awesome idea. I heard you have another room with kitchen appliances for get-togethers. That’s another thing that can be consolidated. They have a system with our ID cards. Your guys can register for those classes right there outside the classroom. On the display will be the dates and times of available instructors. You might have someone there what, once or twice a week? The rest of the time they can use that same system to reserve the room for their parties.”
“I had not thought of that,” Ducarius stated.
“You haven’t even decided on the layouts of the apartments or how many to include,” Chander pointed out. “I love the idea of a separate guesthouse that’s attached for visitors, but you’ve got a cafeteria and other stuff in there that isn’t necessary. Remember, you have to pay to staff all these types of things. You’d be better off using another of the plots you now own and turning it into space you can lease for restaurants or coffee houses if you are concerned that something isn’t going to be available.”
“We thought to allow the men to decide how they would like their apartments laid out,” Alaric said.
“Alaric, no offense but none of them have ever lived anywhere but at the compound. Let the architect give you five or six layouts and they can choose the one they want. Throw in extras of each kind in every section for future use like someone’s mate’s family.”
“Alaric, you must convince Chander to oversee this project for the Sentinel Brotherhood. It is obvious we need him,” Albrecht insisted. Chander knew he wouldn’t have needed to see the blackened tips of his bones to know it was him; the man had a deep, smoky voice that was extraordinarily unique.
“Yes, we are not up to this task,” Ducarius agreed. There were nods all over the room except for Baxter and Benton who were peering at Chander anxiously. It seemed he was going to be asked to take over this project. Chander had experience in real estate, but he’d never tackled something of this scale and magnitude. However, if Alaric wanted him to do it, he would jump at the opportunity. It was something he could do for the Sentinel Brotherhood and for Alaric.
“What do you say, Chand?” Alaric asked.
“I will do it on one condition,” Chander told them. “Once we make a decision we own it. No going back. We make it work. It’s imperative we get this started and kept on track. We want the sentinels here. The only thing now keeping them at the compound is this project. Are we agreed?”
More nodding all around the room. “Agreed,” Alaric stated.
“Fine, from this point forward, consider this our nightly meeting. I’ll go back to the architect and see what our first major decisions need to be, so we can start building,” Chander said. “We’ll go from there until it’s done. Deal?”
As soon as the head bobbing around the room was complete, Chander turned to Gavrael. “Is Larissa and everyone at D’Vaire on board to help when we get to furnishings and all that jazz?”
“Absolutely.”
“Wonderful, this place is going to be amazing. The Sentinel Brotherhood is going to be very proud of this building and happy they have leaders like all of you who are working so hard to see to their welfare.” Chander knew it was going to be a lot of work, but he was looking forward to it. And he couldn’t wait to get to know these men better.
Chapter 25
It was about midway through Council session when the phone Alaric had set on his curved desk vibrated. Picking it up, he saw that he’d received a text message from Chander.
Did you get a message from RKs?
Alaric decided he’d rather hear from Chander than listen to Aloisa the Dwyer drone on about a petition to reduce the amount of commercial transportation spells given on a single day that was never going to pass. He rose, flipped off his light, and went into his still-naked alcove. Chander answered on the second ring.
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be paying attention to a bunch of Council leaders bitch about whatever is itching their brain today?”
“I’d rather talk to you.”
“Not much of a compliment considering the competition.”
“I realize that. I’ll try to do better in the future.”
Chander’s chuckle filtered through the phone. “I guess you got my text.”
“I did. I got the message from the Reverent Knights as well. I was waiting to discuss it with you. I wasn’t sure how late you sleep in these days.”
“Wow, sleep in a little when you’re recovering from a heart attack and you get the reputation of a loafer.”
“Actually, I thought it was more likely you stayed up all night reading a book and could use the sleep this morning.”
“Can’t do that, I got a job last night.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, some crazy sentinels hired me to oversee a massive building project.”
“Lucky you.”
“Oh yeah, and the two sentinels I live with told me I need to be well rested, so I don’t overlook a single thing. Their people deserve only the best.”
“I bet you ate breakfast too.”
“I have to tell you it was delicious, but I think they’re regretting allowin
g me to drink almost an entire pot of coffee.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m making them clean their room.”
Alaric laughed. “So, what do you want to do?”
“I’m assuming you mean about our fallen knights and not these crazy men I live with.”
“Exactly. I know you don’t want to come here.”
“I’d prefer not to. We can meet with them here at the hotel or at your condo.”
“When?” Alaric asked.
“Can you do right after lunch? I need to be with the architect by two.”
“That works.”
“Okay, I’ll text Drystan. Your condo at one.”
“I’ll be there,” Alaric promised. “Thanks for doing this. Not only are you going to help us with this project, but you’ve given me a reason to drag my skeletons here every day.”
“Honestly, I’m looking forward to it. I get to help you and the sentinels, and I get to have something to do all day while I figure out what I want to do with my future.”
“I hope I’m in it.”
“It revolves around you, Alaric.”
Alaric couldn’t help the grin that split his face even if Chander couldn’t see it. “You keep saying things like that, and you’ll get promoted to Lich Sentinel-mate in no time.”
Chander laughed so hard he snorted. “I’ll see you later.”
* * *
Victor was arranging a plate of cookies when Alaric heard the doorbell. His long stride ate up the distance to the door quickly. Opening it, he saw Chander wearing jeans, a collared button-down, and a sportscoat.
“You look good,” he said before leaning down to kiss him.
“I smell cookies,” Baxter announced.
Chander pulled away and scowled. “Go inside and get some so I can greet Alaric properly.”
“I can’t wait until he’s having sex again,” Baxter told Benton as the pair headed for the kitchen area. “He’s more pleasant when he’s getting laid.”
“You know it’s strange but somehow, severing the bond between sentinels and necromancers has still left me with two of them,” Chander observed.
“It’s the only thing that allows me to sleep at night.”
“I’m not going to fight with you, so I will refrain from pointing out I’m literally the most powerful person on this planet.”
“You look good today,” Alaric offered.
“I have to tell you something,” Chander replied as he slipped his fingers between Alaric’s daggers at the bottom edge of his bright sash.
“What’s that?”
“This uniform makes me crazy.”
“Is it like the mouth thing?”
“Yeah, it’s so sexy. I can hardly stand it.”
Alaric cupped Chander’s jaw and bit down lightly on his top lip before sliding his tongue into his mouth. Chander responded eagerly and they were kissing hungrily when the doorbell rang a second time.
“Fuck,” Chander said when Alaric pulled away.
“Whenever you want,” Alaric replied as he released his man to open the door.
“Tease,” Chander muttered. It was their expected guests, and Alaric led them to the kitchen where Chander had wandered to join the others. Victor handed out cold drinks and then offered to give them privacy.
“I imagine we’re all together to discuss the photo,” Chander told him. “It hurt you too. If you wish to stay, you’re welcome to.”
“I admit I am curious,” Victor replied.
“I wish I had good news for all of you,” Drystan said. “But I’m afraid I don’t. We followed the trail and it took a great deal of work to unravel it. Chand, it was sent from your work computer.”
Chander threw up his arms. “Of course, it was. I didn’t fucking send it.”
“Baby, you hadn’t even been in your office for months when you got it. We know you didn’t send it.” Alaric rubbed a hand over Chander’s back. Chander’s eyes were furious.
“I’ll admit I found it curious you two agreed to meet us here, but it appears I’m not up to speed on current events,” Drystan observed.
“Alaric and I are trying to rebuild our relationship. It’s a pretty new development—I haven’t had a chance to catch you up,” Chander confided.
“We’re thrilled to hear it,” Conley said. “We wish you both the best of luck. Give me the call, and I’ll shred your separation papers.”
“Is that all we have to do to undo it?” Alaric asked.
“Yes, one phone call and Chand gets a new ID Card,” Drystan explained. “Well, not exactly new. I didn’t destroy his old one.”
“Now everyone gets to gloat they knew we’d get back together someday.” Chander gave them all an eye-roll. “Don’t destroy anything yet. We’re literally a few days into this, and I have a great deal to do to rebuild the foundation I unceremoniously tore apart.”
Alaric kissed Chander’s annoyed mouth. He knew Chander was also concerned about the Order of Necromancia’s interest in the properties he now owned, but they’d keep that part quiet from the Reverent Knights. “Shouldn’t the fact that the photo was emailed from Chand’s computer narrow down the suspect list?”
“Absolutely—it could only be someone who had access. That would be the elders and all the office staff. It narrows it down from the rest of the people on the planet but does nothing to distinguish between the people we do know could have perpetuated this crime,” Drystan explained.
“Well, it would have to be someone who had access to the apartment too, right?” Victor asked. “Not everyone at the office ever came over or I’m guessing even knew I existed.”
“That’s true. It was only the elders, Evergreen, and Dudley who came to the apartment,” Chander said.
“Yeah, that’s my problem right now. Evergreen had a key to your place. We’ve got to tread carefully right now. We think we know your elders were involved, but we don’t have proof yet. Someone capable of sending a photo that expertly crafted could come up with some compelling evidence to try and distort the trail,” Drystan responded.
“You think if the elders find out about this investigation they’ll try to frame Evergreen?” Alaric asked.
Conley nodded sagely. “It’s a concern. The question is, how patient are you willing to be with this whole thing?”
“Someone tried to either separate Chand and me or kill him in the process since he had a bad heart. I want justice,” Alaric replied. “I don’t care how long it takes. I’m fucking immortal.”
“I agree with Alaric.”
“Okay, then we’ll keep cautiously moving forward. We can’t tell you everything—you know that, but remember we’re as interested in justice as you are,” Drystan said.
“What about the investigation into Chand and their contention he separated you and your mate?” Alaric asked. “Do you have any news on that?”
“Chrys is dragging his feet in assigning an investigator, but he’s got the Order of Necromancia calling him daily for updates. I would expect you’ll hear from his investigator soon to be interviewed,” Drystan told Chander.
“We’ve made it clear we aren’t going to have anything to do with this thing,” Conley added. “I’m not answering one fucking question.”
Victor shook his head. “That just proves my point more. The punishment for that is death. I swear the Order of Necromancia isn’t only concerned with removing Chand as Arch Lich, they want him dead.”
“He can’t be executed,” Drystan informed him.
“Oh, I know. Evergreen told me all about it, but they didn’t realize that when they started this, did they? I’m telling you, Chand, you better be careful,” Victor warned.
“This is the part where Chand says he’s this big ass scary demonic sorcerer and no one can touch him,” Baxter said. “But the truth is, he’s a small dude who’s vulnerable whether he wants to admit it or not.”
“I know the danger is real,” Chander replied with a grimace. “I’ll admit I don’t always ta
ke it seriously but before Victor pointed out how much the elders might want me dead, it didn’t seem as ominous.”
Victor’s eyes grew wide. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”
Chander rubbed the cat shifter’s arm. “I know, no worries. You just saw things from a light I hadn’t thought of before. It’s good you’ve given me another perspective—you can’t protect yourself from danger you can’t perceive.”
“All I have to say is that I’m glad the elders no longer have sentinels,” Conley said.
“I hadn’t even considered that Chand’s decision would have such a personal impact,” Alaric responded. “I’m glad I don’t have to kill one of my own men for harming a hair on Chand’s head.”
“Frizzy or not,” Chander quipped before leaning against Alaric.
“Watch your back, Chand,” Drystan demanded. “Sigimund is power hungry and whether he says it publicly or not, he knows you’re the true leader of the necromancers. There is a very real danger there.”
“I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“It’s damn good to see you together again,” Drystan remarked. “The four of us will have to go out soon. In the meantime, we’ll keep you up to date with our progress on your investigation.”
“Thanks, guys,” Alaric said.
“Did I tell you how awesome this condo is?” Conley asked. “I can’t believe how different it looks since the last time I saw it. At least there’s furniture in here so we don’t all have to hang out on the floor of Chand’s bedroom.”
Alaric was surprised to hear his current home had been the same one Chander had lived in after their break-up. He looked at Baxter and Benton who were both curiously staring at the ceiling. The Reverent Knights said their good-byes and Alaric led them out. He went back to the kitchen. “Chand, I didn’t know you used to live here.”
“You didn’t tell him?” Chander asked his former sentinels who were unrepentant.
“Nope,” Baxter responded.
“It’s called matchmaking,” Benton added.
“I don’t see how you thought moving him into the place I used to live would help anything,” Chander replied.
Fall of the Arch Lich (D'Vaire, Book 6) Page 17