Page 61 of Mystique of the Fallen
“Sure. I mean, a little bit,” Samson replied. “We talked about how difficult it is to have both a new job and a mate.”
“Look, I think I have a handle on this mate thing,” Grant stated with a glance at Roman.
His other half immediately whipped his head toward Grant, and blue clashed with green. “Damn right you do.”
“I want to have the same confidence in my job, but I can’t do that if you guys keep protecting me,” Grant argued.
“First complaint. What’s something they’re preventing you from doing?” Drystan asked.
“It’s been six weeks since I gained my title. I have yet to be on call at night,” Grant responded.
“Unacceptable,” Conley remarked.
“Sorry, Grant,” Arvandus said. “It’s not that we don’t think you’re ready. We just—”
“Wanted to give me some space to get used to all the changes in my life,” Grant finished. “I get it. But hey, I’m literally in a relationship with another Venerable Knight. If I have questions, I can go straight to him.”
“I’ll be lying next to you,” Roman stated, and Grant smiled. Since the first night they’d had sex, Roman had invited Grant over to sleep every night. As far as Grant was concerned, he’d already spent his last night alone. “Wake me up and ask away.”
“Put him on the schedule next week,” Drystan ordered. “I can guess the next issue. Divide new files evenly between the four of you. Don’t make Con or I have to check up on you to ensure that’s being done. You’re not children, and Grant knows what the fuck he’s doing.”
Color rose to Grant’s cheeks at the matter-of-fact statement from Drystan. It was a great boost to his flagging confidence. Since he was sharing Roman’s bed, he’d given up his early morning vigil in his SUV. But that didn’t mean he was any less eager to prove himself. The case files he had been given were straightforward, and Grant didn’t have to ask if the messier ones were given to another Venerable Knight.
The protectiveness offered by Arvandus, Samson, and Roman was kind. However, there was a growing voice in his head wondering if they thought the new guy on the block lacked the necessary skills to complete his work at the same level they delivered.
“Thank you,” Grant told Drystan.
“Keep speaking up,” Drystan replied, his blue gaze a mixture of irritation at Grant’s peers and respect. “If they continue to do this shit, I’ll put you in charge of assigning the cases for all Venerable Knights. Give them the easy shit and see how they like it.”
“We usually meet right after lunch to assign case files,” Roman told Grant.
“I know,” Grant said. “You guys are terrible at sneaking around. How could I not notice that the three of you disappear at the same time every day?”
Conley turned to Drystan and frowned. “I’m scared for the Order of the Fallen Knights.”
“If the Lich Sentinel hears about this, Alaric will never let us hear the end of it,” Drystan commented sadly. “He already thinks the sentinels are superior in every damn way.”
“Oh, we’re not going to fucking tell him,” Arvandus retorted. “You don’t have to live with him.”
“Agreed,” Samson said. “I haven’t even told B, and I donotkeep secrets from my mate.”
“Anyway, let’s change the subject,” Conley urged. His response was so quick that it raised Grant’s hackles.
“Yes, let’s,” Drystan responded immediately. Whatever was going on, it was apparently not dishonesty between the Reverent Knights. But it had to be something. No one in the room was looking at anyone else.
“Is something wrong?” Grant asked, concerned about the men he already cared for.
“Nooooo,” Arvandus replied. “No, not at all. I think everyone is good. Right, Roman? Everyone is good.”
Arvandus was lying, but Grant didn’t call him out. Whatever was wrong, Grant assumed it had nothing to do with him or they’d speak to him directly.
Roman’s mouth tightened, which made Grant pause, but if it was something important or anything that Grant needed to know, he believed his mate would clue him in. “Arvandus is correct. Everything is wonderful.”
“Great, so let’s move on with our agenda,” Conley insisted. “As you may already be aware, a few weeks ago, in a joint venture between the sentinels and the harpies, they located the Tarinthi tribe. In the past, the Tarinthi lived among phoenixes but split less than amicably a long time ago.”
“This wouldn’t have been anything you’ve studied, so we’ll give those of you that need it a refresher,” Drystan said. “Fate made many connections between the phoenixes and Tarinthi elves. Hybrids were born, and this group of phoenixes had a barbaric practice of death and rebirth. Unless their head is severed from their bodies and moved several feet from their bodies, phoenixes will reform. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy for hybrids. They grew ill for months and many permanently lost their memories. The Tarinthi hated watching their loved ones endure this and demanded the practice stop.”
“But the phoenixes considered it a sacred, historical ritual and refused,” Conley remarked. “The Tarinthi had enough and left. A splinter group of hybrids went off on their own, led by a horrid man who continued the phoenix practice. Today, that group is mostly Alderfenixes ruled by Emperor Ellery, and two of them are D’Vairefenixes. Elf convinced the Alderfenixes to meet with the Tarinthi, and it went well. This morning the Tarinthi officially joined the Council.”
