Iron Elf - A Race Reborn (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Elanesse has ears everywhere.” I lifted my boot and peeled off his friend’s ear. “See? So, if I learn you’ve tried it again, you’re gonna find out what else I can tear off. Now go home to your mother!”
     

     
    It was near dawn when I returned to my father’s house. I made my way to my apartments and ordered breakfast through the speaking tube. The kitchen staff would be doing the morning bake but I deserved a fry-up.
     
    “We’ll have it up there in thirty minutes.”
     
    “Thanks, Joyce. Appreciate it.”
     
    I went to the mirror to take stock. I removed the bracers and slipped off the gloves, then sat down to deal with the greaves and boots. The shoes came off with the help of a boot jack but I had to pull off the socks by hand. Straightening up, I unbuckled the harness of belts, straps, and pouches. I stripped off my kneepads. The leather wasn’t cracked, thankfully. I also inspected the pieces from my shoulders and elbows—they needed cleaning.
     
    I unstrapped the leather cuirass and frowned. The punk’s knife had damaged the outer leather. Enchanted mail glittered through the cracks. It would have to be repaired, which meant a visit to the shop. I had spares though, so it could wait. Unzipping my jumpsuit, I peeled off the last of my armour. I was left wearing the same bodystocking that royal guardsmen wore. I stepped out of the bodystocking and tossed the protective cup to the carpet.
     
    Looking into the mirror, I saw a young elf-woman in her underwear. She was perhaps a little taller and more muscular than was fashionable. If the underwear wasn’t as flattering as it could be, that was because they were meant to be practical, not pretty. They might be drab, but they were comfortable.
     
    There was some bruising around the ribs and upper arms. I also had a split lip and a black eye. None of it worth a doctor’s visit, so I undressed completely and stepped into the shower. The hot water was plentiful and I allowed myself fifteen minutes of steamy, soapy luxury.
     
    I was in my dressing gown when someone knocked. I said come in and the breakfast trolley entered.
     
    Followed by my father.
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 5: MEERWEN

    “Room service!” he said. “Tip generously—I’m working my way through mage school.”
     
    “Daddy!” I hugged him. He hugged back and I gasped.
     
    He let go instantly. “Ribs bothering you?” He gently tilted my face up. I pursed my lips, but there was no hiding my injuries. He looked at them for a long moment, then sighed.
     
    “Sometimes I wish you were like other girls. If a boyfriend had done this to you, I would have known what to do.”
     
    “I can take care of myself.”
     
    “Ah, the glamorous life of a vigilante. I would say more, but this splendid meal grows colder as we speak. Coffee?”
     
    I shook my head. “I’m going to bed afterward.”
     
    We pulled the trolley to the breakfast nook and sat down to eat. I loaded my plate with bacon, ham, and sausages, everything greasy and crisp. I attacked them with a fork. The side dish was yesterday’s rice, fried with peppers and topped with egg. I demolished that with the spoon. There were fried tomatoes, fried potatoes, and triangles of golden fried bread. There was coffee, chocolate, and watered wine.
     
    It was many long minutes before I looked up at Father. He was sipping coffee and munching a dry waffle. “It’s been four hundred years since I had an appetite like yours. A pity. Joyce is an excellent cook, as halflings usually are.” He looked out the window. “Are we ready to continue our discussion?”
     
    I drizzled a waffle in cheese and birch syrup. “Not a vigilante,” I said.
     
    “Excuse me?”
     
    “You called me a vigilante, but royal guardsmen are authorized to make arrests.”
     
    “But they usually leave that to the Watch, which is drawn from the city guard. They certainly don’t lurk in alleyways looking for hoodlums