Eduard smiled. “I am dedicated to practice, and I enjoy my saxophone. I’d like to ask Gavrael and Gedeon to assist me. Gavrael is always giving me new artists to listen to.”
Gavrael and Gedeon were the only two Skeleton Lords who didn’t live at the Daray condo, and Alaric was pleased that Eduard wanted to include them. “Good idea.”
“I think since we’re going to have our Lich Hollow, we should have some scary sounds along with the music. I think if I do a search for ‘moaning and groaning,’ I can find some good stuff.”
“You need to search for All Hallow’s Eve sounds, or you’re going to get nothing but porn,” Chander said.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with porn,” Baxter threw in.
“If he begins discussing his penis or his ass, I will ask for this meeting to be adjourned,” Ducarius stated firmly.
“Have no fear, I do not believe we have anything more to discuss,” Alaric assured him.
“I have a topic we should address,” Baxter supplied. “An essential part of a successful All Hallow’s Eve season is to play pranks on one another. Should we construct some large-scale things for the party? We can keep them secret and play them on each other to find out which ones work.”
“I love you guys,” Chander said. “But if any of you assholes play a prank on me, you’re going into a box until well after the party is over.”
“It was Baxter’s idea—therefore, he should be the only one considered an asshole. I’m not playing pranks on anybody,” Brynnius interjected.
“There will be no pranks in this household,” Alaric stated emphatically. “We do not wish to sow discord within our family, and there is always the chance that such shenanigans could upset or hurt someone’s feelings.”
“Where did you read that we needed to prank each other, anyway?” Benton asked his mate.
Baxter shrugged. “The Internet.”
“We could do a scary movie night,” Cassius suggested. “Maybe after I win the pumpkin-carving contest on Saturday?”
“I highly doubt you’re going to win since Apple and I have years of practice, but I’m down for a scary movie night,” Arvandus responded.
“Should we start buying candy to stock up for any trick-or-treaters?” Cassius asked.
“Fuck, no,” Chander shot out. “We hardly have any kids in this building, so we don’t need much, and none of it gets into this house until it’s necessary. You sentinels get too fucking hyper because you devour it like you’ve never seen sweets before.”
“We will have another meeting ahead of our trip to select our gourds,” Alaric told the group. “Be ready with your food ideas, music suggestions, or decor thoughts. It will be your final chance to get them accepted by the men in charge, as we want plenty of time to purchase or create what we need. I do not want anyone to have to scramble at the last minute.”
“Does everyone have their costume ideas?” Victor asked.
“We are sentinels. Do we require costumes? We have never worn them in the past,” Ducarius stated.
“We’re hosting a costume party, Duc. All of us should have one,” Chander told him.
“Damn, I will have to think of something, then.”
“Victor, I wondered if you could help me with mine?” Brynnius asked. “I think I’m going to go as a black cat, and I want it to be as accurate as possible.”
“That’s an awesome idea, Brynn. I’d love to help.”
As the room erupted with costume ideas, Alaric turned to Chander. “What is your costume?”
“I guess you’ll find out on All Hallow’s Eve.”
“Have you not thought of one, or did you want to surprise me?”
Chander’s grin was infectious. “A little of both. What are you going as?”
“I guess you’ll find out on All Hallow’s Eve.” Alaric set aside his clipboard as Chander scrambled up to lie across his lap. Their mouths met, and the excited voices in the room faded away when they kissed. After years together, Alaric could still be moved by nothing more than a simple caress, and he was grateful for that bit of magic.
Chapter 2
