Page 60 of Distinctly Daray
“We could’ve waited until after dinner for this conversation,” Drystan remarked.
“What is wrong?” Phillip asked Keegan.
Keegan smiled as Phillip grabbed his hand, and Victor laced their fingers on his other side.
“No, Phillip badgered Evergreen and Dudley all day,” Alaric revealed. “And something is clearly bothering Keegan. I suspect it has to do with his imminent graduation.”
“How did you know that?” Keegan asked, shocked that Alaric had somehow read his mind. He’d only recently figured it out himself.
“Because I suspect you are confused, and I believe it is because of Fate.”
The door opened and Chander sailed in. “What’d I miss?”
“Did Brynn put in the dinner rolls?” Victor asked.
“There was a tray of them on the counter, so no,” Chander responded.
“Okay, good. Everything else will keep until Alaric explains his whole Fate comment,” Victor said.
Chander’s brow lifted. “What did you say?”
“Nothing really, yet,” Alaric replied as he tucked Chander into his embrace so that his mate’s back was pressed against theLich Sentinel’s chest. “Keegan, perhaps you could tell everyone your thoughts.”
Keegan refused to keep the truth from his mates or lie to the Reverent Knights, so he swallowed and nodded. “This is going to sound awful, but I was…well, feeling sad about graduation. I don’t totally understand why. The thing is, being a Juris Knight is an honor. One I earned and worked hard to achieve. But I guess my excitement hasn’t kicked in yet.”
“Because I suspect it is not what Fate intended for you.”
“Is this the part where Alaric convinces us he figured out Fate’s true purpose for our fallen knight?” Drystan drawled.
“You should be thanking me for figuring it out,” Alaric replied calmly. “The Order of the Fallen Knights and the Sentinel Brotherhood have decided that neither you nor Phillip are ordinary additions to your races. Otherwise, Phillip would have normal poisons and you would not have test scores that put you between a Juris Knight and a Venerable Knight.”
“Keegan, the Order of the Fallen Knights has agreed to share you with the Sentinel Brotherhood. Tomorrow at graduation, Alaric will give you and Phillip the titles of Cinder Lord. Your duties will be assigned by Alaric and the Skeleton Seven. Appropriate uniforms and rings of rank have already been created,” Drystan explained with a smile.
“And to keep Phillip’s dragon happy, you two will work from an office upstairs in this condo in the morning to keep you close to Victor,” Conley added. “In the afternoon, you’ll be in a newly designed space for you two. Alaric has already mentioned you two will be added to the special terrorist group task force, and Keegan, you’ll oversee technology for the entire Sentinel Brotherhood.”
“That might seem like an enormous honor, but it’s going to be a pain in your ass because sentinels suck at technology,” Chander commented.
“Like the Skeleton Seven, your duties will vary,” Alaric stated. “You work for us but will also function as an integral part of the leadership of the Sentinel Brotherhood.”
“Wow,” Keegan managed.
“I cannot accept the title,” Phillip said.
Alaric frowned severely. “Why not?”
“I am not qualified. Keegan studied hard and achieved scores higher than most in his race. I have worked for barely two weeks and did not take a single test.”
“The Skeleton Seven were selected prior to any sentinel stepping foot in the Ascension Center,” Alaric retorted. “We have tests and a structure to suit the Council, but it is unnecessary to the way we function. Do not forget that every sentinel has outscored the fallen knights. Our scoring is not the same as theirs, otherwise we would all hold the highest titles in our race. You do not need to prove yourself to anyone in this room or anywhere in the world.”
“It pains me to admit it, but Alaric is right,” Drystan said. “The Sentinel Brotherhood had to redefine their testing thresholds after their first bunch arrived at the Ascension Center. Sentinels study harder and are highly competitive, which is why they outscore fallen knights.”
“Then I want to be tested before I accept the title,” Phillip insisted.
“I will put together a comprehensive test for you to take on Monday morning if you want, but I want you and Keegan to accept your titles at graduation tomorrow,” Alaric responded.
“You can give Keegan the title tomorrow, and I will earn mine on Monday,” Phillip argued. “In the future, I want the chance to complete my entire training at the Ascension Center. Perhaps next year when you resurrect nearly double the normal amount of recruits. I do not wish for the Sentinel Brotherhood to suffer from a lack of men because of my difficulties.”
“Phillip, he’s your Fate-chosen leader; you probably shouldn’t contradict him,” Keegan reminded his mate gently.
