Page 9 of The Missing Sentinel
“So, being disconnected from Drexley was not a result of this realm,” Adney muttered. “Interesting. Who or what had the power to sever the connection of two races?”
“Arch Lich Chander Daray,” Ducarius said.
“But why would a necromancer sever such a vital bond?” Drexley asked. “Sentinels depend so much on the Arch Lich’s people.”
“Drexley, summon a skeleton from the kitchen. We will need to prepare a room for our guest. I lack the magic to alter the realm so you can leave, Ducarius. But I urge you to attempt to teleport. With my power fading, you may find yourself able todo what would have been impossible years ago. I am sure you do not wish to linger here. Once I have a rest, I will make it my mission to find a way to get you home.”
Ignoring the sudden urge to stay close to Ducarius or at least ask him to remove his hood so he could see the man’s face, Drexley rose without comment to do Adney’s bidding. Drexley was so confused he wasn’t sure whether he wanted Ducarius to stay or go. One thing was certain; Ducarius was dangerous to his peace of mind.
But what did that mean?
Chapter 5
Nightfall descended on Adney’s realm, and Drexley was grateful to be alone with his thoughts. Drexley had chosen the coward’s route and avoided Ducarius for the rest of the day. Instead of learning anything about their uninvited guest, he’d ensured Adney had eaten, and the moment he could escape, Drexley had gone to his bedchamber.
But it wasn’t providing the peace he desperately needed. The silence was overwhelming as Drexley sat heavily on his bed. He had learned about mates, but he hadn’t found the topic interesting enough to study it intensely. Adney was adamant that sentinels were undead and resurrected people were not granted the same gifts from Fate as necromancers.
Had Adney been wrong? Drexley hated to doubt Adney, but his senses had been far too overwhelmed to accept that Ducarius was wrong about their connection.
A knock on the door had a sigh escaping Drexley as he stood. His heart skipped a beat in what he had to admit was anticipation as he wondered if it was the mysterious Ducarius bothering him. Drexley moved swiftly, and he was disappointed to find Adney waiting in the hall.
“Adney, I thought you would be in bed now; your body needs rest,” Drexley chided as he immediately stepped aside toallow the ancient necromancer into the cozy room Adney had given him upon his arrival centuries ago.
“I will admit I am tired, but I was worried about you, Drexley. It has been a most momentous day,” Adney replied as he settled in one of the chairs sitting in front of the magic-fueled fire providing heat and light to the space.
Drexley sat opposite Adney and could not escape the truth. “Yes, I…well, my thoughts are scattered.”
“I wish it had occurred to me that the crumbling of my realm would allow others to arrive uninvited,” Adney muttered. “Perhaps I could have prepared better. It is funny to find myself close to death after nearly three millennia. I have lived such a long life, and yet, I remain unready to leave you. But neither of us can escape my imminent demise.”
Immediately saddened by the reminder of the future Drexley did not want to face, he frowned. “The past five centuries have gone so quickly. Nothing will be the same without you, Adney.”
“No, it will not, and I need to do a better job of preparing you for what is coming. Although I will try, we both know my magic is weak. We may very well be stuck with this Ducarius until I pass to the other side of the veil.”
Drexley had yet to see Ducarius’s face, but he was irrationally pleased to know the stranger would not disappear by morning. What was wrong with him?
“Why do you think the Arch Lich would break the bonds between sentinels and necromancers?” Drexley asked. It was not the most pressing question on his mind, but he needed to work up to the idea that he had a mate.
Adney’s brow creased. “That is quite the mystery, is it not? Without the ability to question him, I cannot say. But think about this; each necromancer must provide for their family. We were given sentinels without our permission. Each of us hasone, so even in a small household, there are an equal number of undead. Unlike you, other sentinels have the sole skill of murder, which does little to add wealth. My guess would be that it grew too much of a burden on necromancers. Think of how the population of necromancers must have swelled in the past five centuries. The Arch Lich was likely trying to ensure families were not pushed to bankruptcy with so many sentinels to feed and house.”
While Drexley was no expert on financial matters, he could understand Adney’s point. Drexley was lucky Adney had crafted a realm requiring no wealth. The only burden Drexley put on Adney was the extra magic needed to feed him.
“That seems reasonable,” Drexley conceded.
“I assume most necromancers have continued to house the sentinels previously attached to their souls. We are good people. I wonder what this Ducarius has done to force his necromancer to abandon him.”
For reasons Drexley could not explain, he had an immediate compulsion to defend Ducarius, but he set the strange urge aside. He knew nothing about Ducarius, and the man had been adamant that sentinels and necromancers were no longer bound. The fervor in his voice did not speak of a man with a strong bond like the one shared by Adney and Drexley.
“You make a fine point.”
“Have no worries, Drexley. Once I get some adequate rest, I will question Ducarius and get the answers we both seek.”
“More information about the strange man living in your castle would be welcome.”
“I know today must have been upsetting for you. We have been alone for centuries, and you are immediately told by a sentinel that you are his mate. Tell me your thoughts on the matter.”
“I cannot deny that my body reacted in unexpected ways. Had you not educated me so thoroughly, I would have understood none of it.”
“What would you not have understood?” Adney asked, his gray gaze focused intently on Drexley’s face.