Page 126 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sawyer

When Eduard mentioned staff earlier, Sawyer hadn’t actually thought he was entirely serious. But within a couple hours, Cecil and crew had arrived to “take the house in hand.”

And he’d called Eduard “Master Eduard” like they were in some historic novel with lords and ladies.

It was weird, for about an hour. Then a snack appeared at Sawyer’s elbow while he was up to his neck in final research for his project. He’d taken over the table in the breakfast area, even though Henry assured him it was fine to use the upstairs office. Eduard had wanted to work in there as well, though, and after the close call from earlier, Sawyer thought a little distance might be a good idea.

Henry hadn’t been wrong when he’d said that each of the guardians were better looking than the last. Of course, Henry hadn’t been including himself, but Sawyer could. Eduard had a classic elegance to him, almost a James Bond suaveness that lent itself to high class surroundings and, well, to having a staff. His suits were pressed and his hair never out of place. Even his hands were elegant, with long lean fingers that… no, he needed to stop that line of thinking in its tracks.

Draco was a bit more rough and tumble, a guy suited to the black clothes he tended to wear, but his black-framed glasses made him seem more hot nerd than fierce fighter. It worked, especially for Sawyer. He’d had the hots for Draco from the moment he’d laid eyes on him, and his interest hadn’t waned at all as the years passed. In fact, it had grown stronger the closer he and Draco had grown as friends.

And he certainly couldn’t forget Andvari. The vampire had a quiet strength to him that Sawyer wanted to explore more. He’d also taken a minute to admire the actual strength of him earlier when Andvari had arrived downstairs shirtless and searching for Henry. He had shoulders for miles and a light dusting of hair over his muscled chest and his biceps… well, he and Draco were welcome to have a shirtless muscle contest and Sawyer would sign up to be the judge. He could even think of one or two grand prizes he’d gladly offer.

And then there was Henry himself. Henry was just as hot as the others, although in a totally different way. He was hot in that boy next door way, with a smile that lit up a room and Sawyer already loved to hear him laugh. It was hard to be worried or scared with Henry looking at you with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes. They were quite the combination. It made Sawyer curious about the others who were supposed to join the mix.

At any rate, Sawyer had quickly begun to understand that although he was part of the equation for the time being, if the Chosen One wanted him gone, he’d be gone. The guardians didn’t seem to have much to say about the matter. In the end, Sawyer had decided to take what he could get. He wouldn’t leave Draco unless he was forced to, and if Draco had to be here, then so would Sawyer.

“Master Sawyer, I’m sorry to disturb you. Lunch is ready in the dining room.”

Sawyer pulled his head out of his thoughts and glanced up at the older man with a smile. “Just Sawyer. Thanks, Cecil.”

He wandered into the dining room, taking in the twelve-seater table with a smile. Henry really had known exactly what this place needed. The others were already seated so Sawyer took the empty seat between Draco and Henry and sat down. Cecil appeared moments later carrying a large tray that he sat in the center of the table.

“Lunch today is salmon cakes with a creamy mustard caper sauce, an orzo pilaf, and roasted vegetables. Master Eduard prefers lunch to be served family style, so help yourselves.”

The butler gave a slight bow, then turned and left the room. Sawyer stared after him for a moment, as did Henry. After a moment, Henry turned to him with his eyes as wide as Sawyer’s felt.

“Whoa,” Henry said.

“It’s like we’re in some movie or something,” Sawyer replied. “There’s going to be a fashion montage soon, isn’t there? Clearly my clothes aren’t fancy enough so I’ll need to be dressed appropriately to be allowed to sit on the furniture.”

“Oh, maybe we’ll have to have manners training, too. Which fork is which?” They both laughed and ignored Eduard’s pinched expression.

“It’s a little weird, right?” Sawyer whispered.

“Totally weird.”

“At least it’s not just me.”

Eduard scoffed and lifted a salmon cake from the tray. “You two can keep it up, or you can eat. I, for one, am starving. And Cecil is renowned for his abilities to source the best of local talent.”

“Wait, so he didn’t actually cook all of this himself.”

Eduard raised a brow as he continued to fill his plate. “He arrived two hours ago after receiving my call. And although he is something of a miracle worker, he can’t just blink something into existence.”

“Well, it wouldn’t surprise me if he could, not with everything else I’ve learned about in the past day,” Sawyer said.

“Touché. But no, Cecil will be hiring staff to handle most of our needs. He manages all of the details so I can focus on my work. And you can focus on yours. Of course, the Chosen One may arrive with their own staff, but at least then the house will be in order.”

Sawyer thought the whole thing was weird. He’d been taking care of his own house since he turned eighteen. His foster parents had left the house and its contents to him when they passed. It was really all they had and he was touched that they’d wanted to take care of him.

His foster brothers told him later that their parents had wanted to divide the assets between them, but they’d said no. They were out of the house and earning their own incomes at that point, and Sawyer had still been in high school. Of course, none of them had known that within two years of making that decision, they’d both be gone.

He’d decided to attend the local university, then stayed on to get his graduate degree. All while living at home. It had made the most sense to him. Once he’d gotten Pearl, he had everything he needed. And speaking of, he’d need to take her out to play for a few hours after lunch. She’d been cooped up in the house for too long and needed to get outside for a while.

“What?” Draco asked quietly.

“Nothing,” Sawyer said. “Just planning my afternoon in my head.”

“Want some company?”

Sawyer looked over and saw the worry on Draco’s face. He thought he’d soothed that fear earlier with their talk in the kitchen, but they clearly still had some work to do to get back to the way they were before. “Always,” Sawyer replied.

He’d never turn down time with Draco, and even though he should be more angry that he’d kept such a huge secret, Sawyer really did understand. All of the secrets, the world Sawyer wasn’t part of, he didn’t blame Draco for not sharing that part of his life. But what if nothing had ever changed? They could have spent their lives with the wall of secrets between them.

Now, maybe, they’d be able to build something more, as long as his weird attraction to Eduard didn’t get in the way.